J&K’s Hans Raj, Ladakh’s Stanzin Chondol claim full marathon titles at 12th Ladakh Marathon

Ladakh Marathon 2024: Record-Breaking Wins and Thrilling Finishes in High-Altitude Heaven

The 12th edition of the Ladakh Marathon wrapped up in style on Sunday, drawing a massive crowd of over 6,600 runners from every corner of India and more than 30 countries. Held in the stunning high-altitude landscapes of Leh, this year’s event smashed records and showcased incredible endurance as athletes tackled the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, and 11.2 km Run. As a World Marathon Majors qualifier, it even gave top performers a shot at qualifying for the 2026 WMM Wanda World Age Group Championship.

In the grueling 42 km Full Marathon, which started and finished at Leh’s NDS Stadium, Jammu & Kashmir’s Hans Raj sprinted to victory in 2:47:41. Ladakh’s Stanzin Chondol stole the show in the women’s category, clocking 3:13:00 and finishing an impressive sixth overall – a testament to the fierce competition in this Ladakh Marathon highlight.

One runner who turned heads was Bengaluru’s Rita Satish Patkar. She pulled off a rare double win, taking first in the veteran women’s category for both the Khardung La Challenge on Saturday and the Full Marathon just a day later. Her back-to-back triumphs added extra excitement to the Ladakh running festival.

The Half Marathon brought more nail-biting action. Tsetan Namgail from Ladakh claimed the men’s title with a strong 1:13:10 finish, while Stanzin Dolkar led the women home in 1:30:14. Over in the 11.2 km Run, Sonam Stanzin edged out the men’s field in 42:39, beating runner-up Furboo Tundup by a mere 10 seconds in one of the closest races of the weekend. Skarma Idong Lanzes dominated the women’s open category, crossing the line in 47:30.

Veterans shone bright too. In the Full Marathon, Shyamapada Das won the men’s veteran section, joining Patkar on the podium. The Half Marathon saw Arvind Basaiawmoit and Shilpa Phadke top the men’s and women’s veteran categories, respectively. For the 11.2 km, Tsewang Dorjay took the men’s veteran win, and Sarah Hanan-Bajwa grabbed the women’s crown.

The weekend kicked off strong on Friday with the Silk Route Ultra, where five-time Guinness World Record holder Sufiya Sufi and Ladakh Scouts’ Tsewang Kundan emerged as champions. In the tough 72 km Khardung La Challenge, Shabir Hussain and Namgyal Lhamo ruled the men’s and women’s races.

Bhanu Prabha, IAS, Secretary of Youth Services and Sports for UT Ladakh, served as chief guest and handed out medals, trophies, and prize money at the NDS Stadium ceremony. She praised the event’s growth, saying, "From just 1,200 runners 12 years ago to over 6,500 today from every state, UT, and 30+ countries – it’s inspiring. Veterans with global accolades choose Ladakh for its challenge. This success comes from Chewang Motup’s vision, his team, sponsors, and partners like LAHDC Leh. Congrats to all, and see you next year with even more!"

Chewang Motup Goba, Chairperson of the High Altitude Sports Foundation and Ladakh Marathon founder, echoed the excitement: "Huge congrats to winners and participants for making this 12th edition unforgettable. The record turnout cements Ladakh Marathon as India’s top running event with growing global appeal. We’re celebrating endurance while pushing to join the world’s elite races."

This Ladakh Marathon edition not only highlighted personal triumphs but also boosted tourism and fitness in the region. Runners raved about the breathtaking views and tough terrain – perfect for anyone eyeing high-altitude marathons next time around.

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