Rising to the Challenge: The Ladakh Marathon Journey

Exactly a week ago today, I was returning from Leh after completing one of India’s most difficult marathons! The Ladakh Marathon is truly unique, not just because of its difficulty, but for several other reasons:

1. We travelled all the way from Mumbai to Leh, covering almost 2,350 kilometers to participate in this marathon.
2. Due to Leh’s altitude of 11,500 feet, with lower oxygen levels, participants are required to arrive at least six days in advance to acclimatize.
3. It’s a true test of both physical endurance and mental resilience, especially in the cold, dry weather.

For some of us, this run was more than just a test of physical endurance—it was a journey of mental grit and focus. For many, it was also about embracing the 'sweet pain' that comes with pushing beyond one’s limits

It’s still a mystery how we managed to register, as we initially missed the first registration window. However, one of our friends received a message from the organizers announcing a brief two-day reopening of registration for the Ladakh Half Marathon. That’s how we managed to get in at the last minute. I see it as a "calling" because, otherwise, why would we end up running in the cold mountains of Ladakh?

The weather in Ladakh isn’t always kind to everyone. One of our friends on the first day itself, needed medical attention to stabilize his oxygen levels. I was truly impressed by the quality of care at the government-run Sonam Norbu Memorial (SNM) Hospital in Leh. The facilities there were comparable to some of the better private hospitals in Mumbai, and the treatment was almost fully subsidized. Hats off to the government for their excellent work in healthcare, cleanliness, and hygiene !

We stayed in Ladakh for eight days—six days of acclimatization before the marathon. The rugged terrain, with its constant ups and downs, truly tests your stamina. During this time, we had to monitor our SPO2 levels daily, and for the first time, I seriously started paying attention to the health insights provided by today’s advanced wearable technology.

It was heartwarming to see local communities from Saboo, Shey, and Choglamsar come out in large numbers to cheer for the runners, offering local juices, dates, and chikkis (traditional Indian snacks). Running thru these narrow lanes, we were also fortunate to witness trees laden with apricots and apples, some of the well-known produce of Ladakh!

After the marathon, we visited the famous Khardung La Pass, which sits at an altitude of over 17,500 feet.

Although every runner has their personal journey, seeing participants take on the 42K, the intense 72K, and the gruelling 122K distances (a small but seriously motivated group of runners from across India and international participants from Europe and Canada) was immensely inspiring.

The toughest terrains in the country bring together the most resilient athletes and that provides people like me immense motivation as I now begin my training for the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2025.

I look back at this experience feeling privileged to have had the honor of running the Ladakh Half Marathon. A big shoutout to my friends Subodh Gadgil , Manish Jain Caleb Ellis Veeresh Rao and @Umesh Sharma for being by my side through this journey!

The experience of running this marathon will always stand out as a life long-memoir. Some places in the universe call out to you, and I believe that’s what happened for me with the Ladakh Marathon.

~ Deepak Vazirani