The World’s Highest Marathon Through the Himalayan Landscapes of Leh and Khardung La
The Ladakh Marathon is an annual high-altitude road running festival held in Leh, Ladakh, usually during September. Organized under the leadership of Chewang Motup Goba and supported by local authorities, the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, ITBP, Ladakh Scouts, and multiple community organizations, the event has become internationally recognized as one of the toughest and most scenic marathon events in the world.
The marathon was established in 2012 to demonstrate Ladakh’s resilience after the catastrophic 2010 flash floods and to encourage Ladakhi youth to adopt running as a healthy and competitive sporting activity. From approximately 1,500 runners in its inaugural edition, participation has grown to nearly 6,000 runners across multiple disciplines from India and over 20 countries worldwide.
The event is AIMS-certified and is widely regarded as one of the world’s most important high-altitude endurance races. The Khardung La Challenge and Silk Route Ultra are considered among the toughest ultra-marathons globally due to their extreme elevation and oxygen-deprived conditions.