120 runners from across globe participate in 'World Highest Frozen Lake Marathon' on Pangong Tso in Ladakh
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Leh, Feb 22: The second edition of the Pangong Frozen Lake Marathon, renowned as "the world’s highest frozen lake marathon," was successfully conducted in Pangong Tso in Ladakh and witnessed the participation of 120 runners from seven different countries.
This event was organized by the 14 Corps of the Indian Army, the Adventure Sports Foundation of Ladakh, with support from the Administration Union Territory of Ladakh. In this event, participants competed in two categories: a half marathon (21 km) and a shorter 10 km run.
#IncredibleIndia #PangongTso
— Rajesh Kalra (@rajeshkalra) February 20, 2024
Some absolutely incredible images from the 2nd Pangong Tso marathon, the world’s highest frozen lake marathon, held today in Ladakh.
The marathon was organised on the frozen lake at an altitude of 14,273 ft, with temperatures dropping to below… pic.twitter.com/2SxsNNoQbZ
Ravinder Kumar, Secretary of Sports, graced the event as the chief guest, with Konchok Stanzin, Councillor of the Chushul Constituency, also in attendance.
The primary goal of this run was to raise awareness about the fast melting of Himalayan glaciers, dubbed "theatre," suggesting that this might be the final run on the frozen Pangong Lake due to the impact of global warming. Simultaneously, it aimed to boost winter tourism in places like Changthang, as highlighted by the Chushul councillor.
Local communities from Pangong areas like Maan, Merak, Spangmik, and Phobrang not only participated but also hosted the runners, enriching the event with cultural performances.
World's most challenging marathon
The marathon occurred amid heavy snowfall at an altitude of 14,273 ft, with temperatures plummeting to -15 °C, officially marking it as one of the world's most challenging marathons. To ensure safety, organizers reportedly had put various measures in place. These included having medical teams on-site, setting up hot water stations every 5 kilometres, and having an ambulance ready throughout the event. Runners were advised to bring necessary gear like head torches, warm jackets, and raincoats to handle the challenging conditions effectively.
The first Pangong Frozen Lake Marathon, also called "The Last Run," was held on February 20, 2023. It featured a challenging 21-km trail due to extreme weather and rough terrain. Participants were selected based on their experience in high-altitude sports above 10,000 ft. The event occurred at an altitude of 13,862 ft, potentially setting a Guinness World Record for the highest frozen lake marathon.