The Ladakh Marathon just wrapped up its epic 12th edition with heart-pounding finishes that had everyone cheering. Held in the stunning high-altitude landscapes of Ladakh, this year’s event smashed records by attracting over 6,600 runners from every Indian state, union territory, and more than 30 countries. It’s no wonder this race is a big deal—it’s even a qualifier for the Abbott World Marathon Majors, giving top performers a shot at the 2026 AbbottWMM Wanda World Age Group Championship.
In the star event, the 42 km Full Marathon starting and ending at Leh’s NDS Stadium, Jammu & Kashmir’s Hans Raj sped to victory in 2:47:41. Ladakh’s own Stanzin Chondol stole the show in the women’s category, clocking 3:13:00 and finishing a impressive sixth overall. Talk about breaking barriers! Bengaluru’s Rita Satish Patkar turned heads by winning both the tough Khardung La Challenge on Friday and the Full Marathon veterans’ women’s title just two days later—proving she’s a force in Ladakh running events.
Sunday’s Half Marathon (21 km) brought more excitement. Tsetan Namgail claimed the men’s win in 1:13:10, while Stanzin Dolkar led the women with a strong 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 nail-biting 10 seconds. Skarma Idong Lanzes took the women’s open title in 47:30.
Veterans shone bright too. In the Full Marathon, Shyamapada Das topped the men’s category, joining Patkar’s double triumph. The Half Marathon saw Arvind Basaiawmoit and Shilpa Phadke win men’s and women’s veterans, respectively. For the 11.2 km, Tsewang Dorjay led the men, and Sarah Hanan-Bajwa grabbed the women’s crown.
The action kicked off earlier with the Silk Route Ultra, where five-time Guinness World Record holder Sufiya Sufi and Ladakh Scouts’ Tsewang Kundan crossed the finish line as champions. In the grueling 72 km Khardung La Challenge, Shabir Hussain and Namgyal Lhamo ruled the men’s and women’s races.
At the medal ceremony in NDS Stadium, Bhanu Prabha, IAS, Secretary of Youth Services and Sports for UT Ladakh, handed out prizes and shared her excitement. “From 1,200 runners 12 years ago to over 6,500 today, the Ladakh Marathon has exploded in popularity,” she said. “It’s inspiring to see world-class veterans racing here. This success comes from the vision of organizer Chewang Motup, his team, and key supporters like LAHDC Leh. Congrats to all—you’ll love coming back for an even bigger 13th edition!”
If you’re into marathons in India or high-altitude challenges, the Ladakh Marathon is the ultimate test of grit and beauty. Mark your calendars for next year!
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
