Ladakh Marathon draws 8,000 registrations, participants from India and abroad

Around 8,000 participants have registered so far for the upcoming Ladakh Marathon, with runners expected from across India and abroad, an official said on Sunday.

Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra reviewed preparations for the region's premier sporting event and inspected the NDS Indoor Stadium in Leh.

Describing the growing participation as a proud moment for the Union Territory, Kundra said the marathon had gained recognition beyond the region and offered an opportunity to showcase Ladakh's natural landscape, culture and spirit of endurance to the world.

“The event has gained recognition well beyond the region and provides an important opportunity to showcase Ladakh's natural landscape, culture and remarkable spirit of endurance to the world,” he said.

Organisers informed Kundra that around 8,000 participants had registered for the marathon, with entries coming from different states and Union Territories as well as international destinations, the official spokesman said.

Kundra urged people of Ladakh, particularly local youth and residents, to participate enthusiastically and help make the event a success.

He said greater participation by local people would add vibrancy to the event while strengthening Ladakh's identity as a destination for high-altitude sports and adventure.

Kundra also highlighted the Silk Route Ultra, a 122-km endurance race that will begin from Kyagar village in Nubra Valley on September 10.

The race will follow the historic Silk Route through Sumur, Lakjung, Tirith, Khalsar and Khardung before crossing the high-altitude Khardung La and finishing in Leh.

He said the race reflected the exceptional endurance, resilience and sporting spirit associated with Ladakh while offering the wider sporting community a glimpse of the region's challenging terrain and unique high-altitude environment.

The Chief Secretary extended his best wishes to the organisers, participants, volunteers and other stakeholders and called for coordinated efforts to ensure the marathon is conducted smoothly and to the highest standards.

The inspection underlined the Union Territory administration's efforts to support major sporting events and use them to promote sports, fitness and tourism, while strengthening Ladakh's growing reputation on the national and international sporting map, the spokesman said.