Please review our Rules and Regulations below to ensure you are aware of the conditions and procedures. By completing your registration, you acknowledge and agree to same.
Ladakh Marathon, the highest AIMS certified marathon, is an event held
annually since 2012 comprising of following 6 (six) running disciplines.
|
Discipline / Race name
|
Distance
|
Race date
|
|
Silk Route Ultra
|
122km
|
Thursday, September 10, 2026
|
|
Khardung La Challenge
|
72km
|
Friday, September 11, 2026
|
|
Marathon
|
42.195km
|
Sunday, September 13, 2026
|
|
Half Marathon
|
21.0975km
|
Sunday, September 13, 2026
|
|
11.2km Run
|
11.2km
|
Sunday, September 13, 2026
|
|
Run for Fun
|
05km
|
Saturday, September 12, 2026
|
Ladakh Marathon is promoted and organised by High Altitude Sports
Foundation Ladakh,
a not–for–Profit
Private non–Government company, hereinafter referred to as “Event
Organiser”.
Age Limits
These must be adhered to strictly and the
event organiser
has the right to verify the age of participants before, during, and after the race.
Acceptance Of Entries
a) Please do not apply more than one entry per person. Multiple applications will be rejected. However, participants of the Khardung La Challenge and Silk Route Ultra can also register for any of the other four races of the Ladakh Marathon 2026 that are held two days later on 12th and 13th September.
b) Before submitting registration an applicant must ensure to provide true, accurate, current, and complete information as requested in the application form. Registration will not be accepted if an applicant knowingly submits false information.
c) Registration for the Ultra races – 122km Silk Route Ultra and 72km Khardung La Challenge is by way of submitting an application with a non-refundable application deposit of Rs. 3,000. Before submitting the application for Ultra races participant must ensure that he/she meets the eligibility criteria, provide true, accurate, current, and complete information as requested in the application form. Application will not be accepted if an applicant knowingly submits false information.
d) By submitting a registration all participants agree and accept to the “Rules and Regulations 2026” and “Acknowledgement of Risks & Indemnity Agreement 2026” of the Ladakh Marathon. And if a participant is below the age of 18 years, the guardian has to confirm his/her relation with the participant and agree and accept to the “Rules and Regulations 2026” and “Acknowledgement of Risks & Indemnity 2026”.
e) Participants of 11.2km Run, Half Marathon, Marathon, Khardung La Challenge and Silk Route Ultra are to provide details of previous marathons along with finisher certificates as per the Eligibility Criteria at the time of registration.
f) All participants must agree and sign the Risk & Indemnity Agreement. And if a participant is below the age of 18 years, the guardian has also signed the ‘waiver’ and written his/her relation with the participant.
g) All participants are to refrain from display of political, religious, or racial propaganda of any nature on apparel or gear worn or used by participants during the race(s). Any participant found in violation of this rule will be disqualified.
h) Application fee – Please read this section before you register.
i) Registrations for the 13th edition of the Ladakh Marathon will open on Thursday 19th February 2026 and close on Monday 23rd March 2026.
Entries Not Accepted
Participation in the event is subject to entry confirmation. Entries
will not be accepted if:
a) Finisher certificates submitted as proof of eligibility criteria are
found to be incorrect.
b) Submission of incorrect documentation or information of your entry.
In such cases the registration shall be deemed cancelled, 50% of
registration fee paid will be deducted and balance amount will be
refunded.
Arrival In Leh And Acclimatisation
By submitting application participants also acknowledge and agree that
they need to arrive in Leh town as per guidelines recommended by the
Ladakh Marathon. Acclimatisation is
imperative and important if you are a participant of the Ladakh
Marathon.
Refund & Cancellation Policy
1. Cancellation of registration is permitted up to May 31, 2026 and is to be communicated in written from your registered email ID to info@ladakhmarathon.com.
2. Request for cancellation/refund of registration will not be entertained beyond May 31, 2026 except for serving defence personnel category.
3. Entries Not Accepted
Participation in the event is subject to entry confirmation. Entries will not be accepted if:
a) Finisher certificates submitted as proof of eligibility criteria are found to be incorrect.
b) Submission of incorrect documentation or information of your entry.
In such cases the registration shall be deemed cancelled, 50% of registration fee paid will be deducted and balance amount will be refunded.
4. If your registration is rejected by the organiser whereby incorrect documentation is submitted as stated above in clause III, 50% of registration fee paid will be deducted and balance amount will be refunded. So, please ensure that you submit correct documents.
5. Registration fees shall not be refunded by virtue of non-participation, including failure by a confirmed participant to collect his/her bib from the Ladakh Marathon Expo or not allowed to run on the race day if found not fit to run.
6. Registration fee is non-refundable and entry will not be deferred if
a) participant is unable to travel due to reasons such as injury, illness, travel related issues or any other personal reason
b) Participant is pulled out of race due to any medical issue
c) During the race participant is found boarding any support vehicle/ambulance or taking supplemental oxygen or is accompanied/supported by any unofficial person
7. If a foreign national fails to secure a valid visa for travel to India, there will be no refund of registration fee. All foreigners are advised to check travel restrictions to India, if any, before submitting registration.
8. Change of race category is permitted ONLY up to May 31, 2026 by way of written intimation to the organisers from your registered email ID to info@ladakhmarathon.com. Participants will be charged Rs 1,000 (Indian Nationals) and US$20 (Foreign Nationals) towards processing fee. Please ensure timely written intimation for any change of race category.
9. Transfer of registration to next year is permitted ONLY up to Sunday, May 31, 2026 by way of written intimation to the organisers from your registered email ID to info@ladakhmarathon.com. Post May 31, 2026 no request for transfer shall be entertained. Please ensure timely written intimation for transfer of registration.
10. Refund process towards registrations cancelled up to Sunday, May 31, 2026 or entries not accepted due to incorrect documentation will be processed after Saturday, August 01, 2026. Processing fee of Rs 1000/- will be deducted and balance amount refunded back.
Bib Number and Collection
- It is mandatory for all participants to collect their running BIB in person. Please schedule your travel plan and itinerary as per BIB collection dates.
- No BIB will be issued either prior to or after the assigned date of BIB collection. Please ensure that you are in LEH as per bib collection dates.
- Entry or BIB is non-transferable to any other participant/person
- Your official race BIB number is important. Therefore, please ensure that it is displayed during the entire race.
- Do not alter the BIB number in any manner.
- No one else may wear your BIB number.
- If any participant is found wearing another participant BIB, he/she will be disqualified and not allowed future participation in the Ladakh Marathon.
- Running BIB must be pinned properly to the front of your t-shirt and clearly visible at all times.
- Folding or covering any part of your BIB may result in disqualification.
- Do not forcefully bend, crease, or fold your BIB.
- Make sure to fill out the necessary information on the back side of your BIB.
- Participants of the two ultra races, the Silk Route Ultra and Khardung La Challenge, are assigned two bibs each for front and back. Please ensure these are pinned properly and visible at all times during the entirety of race(s), failure to do so will result in disqualification.
- Any participant found running without bib (bandit runner) will be taken out from the race by course Marshalls. NO BIB, NO RUN. Such participants will not be eligible for any support at aid stations.
BIB Collection dates
It is mandatory for all confirmed participants to collect running BIBs (and timing chips) in person from the EXPO. Please schedule your travel plan and itinerary as per bib collection dates listed below:
For Silk Route Ultra and Khardungla Challenge – Saturday 29th and Sunday
30th August 2026.
For Marathon, Half Marathon, 11.2km Run and 05km Run for Fum – Saturday
5th and Sunday 6th September 2026.
Timing Chips
- Ladakh Marathon will use a timing chip for five races – 11.2km Run, Half Marathon, Marathon, 72km Khardung La Challenge and 122km Silk Route Ultra.
- 05km Run for Fun is not a timed race.
- Timing chips must be attached to your BIB to score the race as per instructions provided.
- Timing chip must be worn on the race day, attached properly to the BIB.
- Timing chip must be attached from Start to Finish in order to be recognised as completing the race and receiving an official finish time.
- Timing chip identifies your bib number and should not be worn by any other participant.
- Please ensure that your timing chip is fastened securely. Your net running time can only be measured if you step on the timing mats laid out at the start and finish line. Likewise, you must step on all mats laid out enroute the marathon course. You will be disqualified if your intermediate times are not recorded.
Code of Conduct and race Protocols
(i) Participants must always follow the
organisers, race officials, course marshalls, and volunteer
instructions. The event organiser reserves the right to disqualify
participants who refuse to follow instructions of the race officials.
(ii) Participants must conduct themselves in
sportsmanlike manner and respect race officials, fellow runners, and the
local people of Ladakh.
(iii) All participants are to refrain from display
of political, religious, or racial propaganda of any nature on apparel
or gear worn or used by participants during the race(s). Any participant
found in violation of this rule will be disqualified.
(iv) During the race if a participant is found boarding
the ambulance/sweep vehicle, he/she will be disqualified.
v) Use of portable/supplementary oxygen is not
permitted. Participant will be disqualified if he/she is found using
supplementary oxygen.
vi) Participants must run/walk the entire course on their own strength.
vii) Selfie sticks, GoPro mounts, or any camera rigging that is not attached directly to the head or torso are banned on the course of all six races.
viii) It is mandatory for participants of the ultra races to carry their own hydration pack.
ix) Littering is strictly prohibited along the race course(s). Please carry back your empty gel sachets and energy bar wrappers or bin them at aid stations.
x) During the race if the vitals of a participant are found to be abnormal then our medical team will have the right to pull you out of the race. Their decision is final and binding
xi) No family member/friend/support crew is allowed to accompany participants during the races.
xii) No family member/friend/support crew is allowed to accompany during the races or stay with participants of the two Ultra races – Silk Route Ultra and Khardungla Challenge.
xiii) Participants of the Ultra races must be present in Leh and report at the NDS Stadium for race briefing to travel together with fellow participants.
xiv) Please ensure that your timing chip is fastened securely. Your net running time can only be measured if you step on the timing mats laid out at the start and finish line. Likewise, you must step on all mats laid out enroute the marathon course. You will be disqualified if your intermediate times are not recorded.
xv) Participants must ensure that they are Medically and Physically fit to participate in the event.
xvi) If a participant is suffering from any chronic disease such as heart disease or high blood pressure then he/she should not participate in the event. The event organiser reserves the right to disallow / disqualify any participant who is known or suspected to be physically unfit to participate in the event.
Cut-off time
Below are the cut-off times and points.
Please note that these are subject to change should the organisers
deem it necessary.
|
RACE
|
START
|
FINISH
|
Cut-off time
|
|
11.2 KM Run
|
6:30 a.m.
|
8:30 a.m.
|
2 hrs
|
|
Half Marathon
|
6:15 a.m.
|
10:00 a.m.
|
3 hrs 45 min
|
|
Marathon
|
6:00 a.m.
|
12:45 p.m.
|
6 hrs 45 mins
|
Road closure on Sunday, September 13, 2026 is till 1:15 p.m. If a
participant is lagging behind the cut-off time, he/she must retire from
the race or may be asked to leave the course.
Khardung La Challenge
(Cut-off is stage-wise)
|
Cut-off Points
|
Cut-off time
|
Stage
|
|
Khardungla top
|
11:00 am / 8 hrs
|
I
|
|
South Pulu
|
1:30 pm / 10 hrs 30 min
|
II
|
|
Mendak mor (turn)
|
3:00 pm / 12 hrs
|
III
|
|
Finish point
|
5:00 pm / 14 hrs
|
Finisher
|
Please note that these points and times are subject to change should the
organisers deem it necessary. The final cut-off is at 14 hours (5 p.m.)
and if you have not reached the cut-off points within the given time as
stated above, you must leave and retire from the race immediately and
get on to a sweep vehicle. Failure to do so will result in
disqualification. All support along this route will be withdrawn from
various stages after respective cut-off time has lapsed.
Silk Route Ultra
(Cut-off is stage-wise)
|
Cut-off Points
|
Cut-off time
|
Stage
|
|
Khalsar Village
|
11:00 p.m. / 4 hrs
|
I
|
|
Khardung Village
|
3:00 a.m. / 8 hrs
|
II
|
|
Khardungla top
|
11:00 a.m. / 16 hrs
|
III
|
|
South Pulu
|
1:30 p.m. / 18 hrs 30 min
|
IV
|
|
Mendak mor (turn)
|
3:00 p.m. / 20 hrs
|
V
|
|
Finish point
|
5:00 pm / 22 hrs
|
Finisher
|
Please note that these points and times are subject to change should the
organisers deem it necessary. The final cut-off is at 22 hours (5 p.m.)
and if you have not reached the cut-off points within the given time as
stated above, you must leave and retire from the race immediately and
get on to a sweep vehicle. Failure to do so will result in
disqualification. All support along this route will be withdrawn from
various stages after respective cut-off time has lapsed.
Bag Deposit
Ladakh Marathon will not be responsible for any loss and/or damage to the belongings and items deposited at the event baggage drop facility. Ladakh Marathon also reserves the right to open and examine any bag or item deposited for security purposes.
Official Time and Net Time
Official Time and Net Time (with Start and Finish times) will be
provided to participants who have completed their registered run within
the cut-off time. Your net time will be your official time.
Official finishers: All participants of Marathon, Half
Marathon and 11.2km Run who finish within the official cut-off time will
receive a finisher medal and finisher certificate.
Unofficial finishers: All participants of Marathon,
Half Marathon and 11.2km Run who cross the finish line after the cut-off
time and until road closure which is 1:15 p.m. will not have an official
result listing and finisher certificate but will still receive a
finisher medal.
Medical and Physical fitness to participate in the Event.
1.Participants acknowledge that it is their responsibility to understand the risks and determine that they have an appropriate fitness level to participate safely in such a physically challenging event.
2. Any participant/person who is suffering from any chronic disease such as heart disease or high blood pressure should not participate in the event. Event organiser reserves the right to disallow/disqualify any participant who is known or suspected to be physically unfit to participate in the event.
3. Participants must be aware that medical services may not be readily available or accessible during some or all the time while they are participating in the event.
4. During acclimatisation period in Ladakh, participants must monitor their oxygen saturation levels and visit the SNM Hospital in Leh if they observe, feel any signs of high altitude sickness.
Prize Money
- Prize money is awarded to the winners of five timed races of the Ladakh Marathon – men and women. Prize money will be announced closer to the event and is awarded to Overall Top Three – men and women, and Top Three Veterans – men and women.
- All prize amounts are in Indian Rupees.
- The prize money shall be given to winners ONLY through bank transfer.
- The winners’ names will be announced on Race Day at the conclusion of the races. However, this will be a provisional list, subject to final verification by the race Officials and event organisers.
- The bank transfer will be done within 30 to 60 working days after the event, once the winners’ list has been ratified by the officials and there are no conflicting claims over any particular Prize / Ranking.
- Prize Money winnings are subject to Indian Income Tax Rules as applicable, and taxes, if deductible, would be borne by the winner.
- Prize money entitlement will be based on Chip Time.
- The organiser’s decision on rankings and entitlements of prize money will be FINAL and binding on all.
Race Rules
- All races except the Ultra races (72km and 122km) will be conducted in accordance with rules and regulations of Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS)
- The Ultra races, 122km Silk Route Ultra and 72km Khardung La Challenge, will be conducted as per rules and guidelines laid by the event organiser. All decisions pertaining to these two races will be made by the Race Director which will be final and binding.
Race Day Images
Race day images of all participants will be screened visually after completion of the event. Where any of the participant is found not wearing the running bib allotted to him/her, the participant registered for that bib will be disqualified from the race and subsequent edition(s) of the event. Further, participants grant to the Ladakh Marathon and its promoters and organisers the exclusive right to the free use of their name, race day images, and videos for the promotion of the event across all social media platforms, including any broadcast, telecast, and advertising.
Event Cancellation
In case the event is cancelled due to circumstances that are beyond the control of the organisers or force majeure, all confirmed registrations for the year will automatically be carried forward to next year in same race category. There is no refund of registration fee in case of event cancellation except for serving Indian Defence Personnel.
Changes to the Event
(i) Event organiser reserves the right to modify and update the course, or make any other amendment to the event and race day procedures that it deems necessary to stage the event. Any change to the event will be communicated to participants.
(ii) Should the course distance be reduced in accordance with condition (i), for the avoidance of doubt you agree that the event is still deemed to be staged and that the event organiser will not be liable to you for any refund.
Application Form
The application form and the right to participate in the event and the rights and benefits available to the participant under this application form are at the sole discretion of the event organiser, High Altitude Sports Foundation Ladakh, and cannot be transferred to any other participant/person under any circumstances. The actual participant alone shall be entitled to the rights and benefits arising out of such confirmation of participation.
