Excelsior Sports Correspondent
LEH, Sept 9: As many as 6000 participants from different parts of the world representing 23 countries took part in the 7th Ladakh edition of Ladakh Marathon that concluded successfully here today.
The 7th edition of Ladakh Marathon was divided in two days event with world highest Marathon Khardongla Challenge held on Friday followed by Sunday event held in three categories of Full Marathon (42Km), Half Marathon (21Km) and Run of fun (7KM). Khardongla Challenge was flagged off on Friday morning from Khardong village by village Nambardar and HQ Dy SP Suraj Singh on Friday at 3:00 AM hours.
Sunday event was flagged off this morning by Hill Council Chairman Dorjay Mutup in presence of Executive Councillor Gyal Wangyal, Leh MLA Nawang Rigzin Jora and officers from army and civil administration. Deputy Commissioner/CEO LAHDC Leh Anvy Lavasa and SSP Leh Sargun Shukla also took part in the Half Marathon (21km).
Shabir Hussain of Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre (LSRC) clinches the world highest Khardongla Challenge of 7th edition of Ladakh Marathon on Friday. Covering a distance of 72 Km long run from Khardong village to Leh city in 06:50:38 Shabir got the first position followed by Tsering Norbo also from LSRC with 06:51:15 timing stood on second position. Karma Zopa of 2-Vikas stood on third position with timing of 07:06:42. The fresh snowfall on higher reaches of Khardongla made it difficult for the runners while crossing Khardongla pass however the runner inspite of such hostile condition cover the distance in good timing.
Founder-Director Rimo Expeditions, Chewang Motup Goba, who founded the Ladakh’s annual mega sports event Ladakh Marathon in 2012, expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders including civil administration of LAHDC, the army, the police and the medical department for their tremendous supports for making it a grand success. He also thanked village levels societies that too have contributed to the success of this marathon.
Motup said that many of the previous Ladakh marathon runners have been absorbed by the Indian Army in the Ladakh Scouts recruitment and those who have not joined the army are performing really well in many of the marathons all across the country.
Out of nearly 6000 participants this time, Motup said that over 2200 participants were from outside Ladakh.
The Ladakh Marathon is certified by AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races).
Executive Councillor for Youth Services and Sports Gyal P Wangyal, MLC Cherign Dorje, DC Avny Lavasa, SSP Sargun Shukla and dignitaries from Army and Civil Administration distributed prizes to the winners and participants at NDS Sports ground during impressive concluding function today.
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