LEH: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Friday felicitated the winners of the Silk Route Ultra and Khardung La Challenge, organised as part of the 13th Ladakh Marathon, as Ladakh continued to strengthen its position as a premier destination for high-altitude endurance and adventure sports.
A total of 477 ultra-runners participated in the 122-km Silk Route Ultra and the 72-km Khardung La Challenge this year, taking on some of the most demanding high-altitude terrain in Ladakh. The Khardung La Challenge takes runners towards Khardung La, situated at an altitude of 17,618 feet.
In the 122-km Silk Route Ultra, Nawang Tsering of Ladakh Police emerged victorious with a timing of 12 hours, 12 minutes and 18 seconds, winning the first prize of ₹5 lakh. Suraj Meena of Rajasthan finished second and received ₹3.5 lakh, while Rigzen Gyurmeth of 2 Ladakh Scouts secured third position and bagged ₹2.25 lakh.
In the 72-km Khardung La Challenge, Jigmet Stobdan of Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre (LSRC) claimed the top spot and won ₹2.75 lakh. Shabir Hussain, also from LSRC, finished second with a prize of ₹2 lakh, while Singay Angchok of 2 Ladakh Scouts secured third position and received ₹1.75 lakh.
The 13th Ladakh Marathon, being held from September 10 to 13, has drawn 7,500 runners from 28 States and six Union Territories, with international participation expected from all six inhabited continents. The event has also brought more than 3,000 family members to Leh, further boosting tourism activity in the region.
Since its inception in 2012, the Ladakh Marathon has evolved into a prestigious international sporting event and is recognised as the world’s highest AIMS-certified marathon. This year’s edition carries a record ₹1 crore prize pool, the highest-ever prize commitment in the history of the event, announced by the UT Administration.
The marathon has also generated substantial economic activity for the region, contributing more than 70,000 bed nights and an estimated ₹40–47 crore directly to the grassroots economy. Local hotels, homestays, family-run guesthouses, taxi operators, restaurants, guides, traditional artisans and small businesses have benefited from the influx of participants and visitors.
Congratulating the winners and participants, Saxena praised their determination and perseverance in taking on the demanding races, saying the growing popularity of the two ultra events demonstrated Ladakh’s immense potential as a leading destination for high-altitude sports and adventure tourism.
“Ladakh Marathon stands as a shining model for responsible, sustainable tourism that empowers our communities while protecting our fragile ecology. This is the exact model of responsible tourism that Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi emphasises upon – one that creates meaningful experiences and sustainable livelihoods and protects our fragile ecology, our lakes and mountains for the future generations,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Saxena also appreciated the organisers, race officials, volunteers, local communities, medical teams, security personnel, government departments and other stakeholders for ensuring the successful conduct of the event. He lauded the strict zero-single-use-plastic policy adopted during the marathon and the involvement of local schools and communities in environmental initiatives, stressing that the growth of sports and adventure tourism must go hand in hand with environmental responsibility.
