12TH LADAKH MARATHON 2025: 11-14 SEPTEMBER 2025

The world's highest AIMS certified Marathon

Registrations open in March 2025!

 

Silk Route Ultra / 122Km: Thursday, 11th September 2025

 

Khardung-La Challenge / 72Km: Friday, 12th September 2025

 

Run Ladakh For Fun 5Km: Saturday, 13th September 2025

 

11.2 Km: Sunday, 14th September 2025

 

Full Marathon & Half MarathonSunday, 14th September 2025

 

Our hotel "Ratna Hotel Ladakh" is located on the Full Marathon track and an official recommended accommodation.

 

We organize complete Marathon Packages with proper acclimatization and sight-seeing.

 

Please contact us for all arrangements: erica.ratnavoyages@gmail.com

 

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11TH LADAKH MARATHON 2024: 5-8 SEPTEMBER 2024

10TH LADAKH MARATHON 2023: 7-10 SEPTEMBER 2023

9TH LADAKH MARATHON 2022: 7-11 SEPTEMBER 2022

9TH LADAKH MARATHON 2021: 8-12 SEPTEMBER 2021 - CANCELLED

The world's highest AIMS certified Marathon

PRESS RELEASE

July 13, 2021

Leh, Ladakh

Dear Runners,

Recently we have seen a surge of tourist activity in Ladakh, undoubtedly due to a decline in
cases following the devastating second wave. We are all united by the hope of returning to
the previous carefree days of travel. However, we cannot help but consider the manner with
which healthcare resources in Ladakh have been stretched thin.

The success of Ladakh Marathon has been due to the support of the local administration:
the police, volunteers, armed forces and healthcare workers. The Ladakh Marathon, as
many may know, was created to encourage determination and resilience in our youth. We
strongly believe that these qualities are not compatible with, and are in fact contradicted
by, short-sightedness and complacence.

Our observation of the ongoing windfall of tourists, and increasing anxiety regarding a third
wave, has helped us come to this resolution. With the health and wellbeing of this
community, including all the runners and their supporters, as our number one priority, we
have come to the difficult but necessary decision to cancel all the races of the 9th Edition of
the Ladakh Marathon which were supposed to be held 8th-12th September.

We are optimistic that the 2022 Ladakh Marathon will continue the tradition to hold the
event with the full support of the runners, the local community and administration.
For those who registered in 2020, your registrations will be valid for the 9th Edition to be
held in 2022 from Thursday 7th to Sunday 11th September.

We advise everyone to be judicious in following COVID-19 safety guidelines.

We look forward to seeing you all in 2022. Till then, stay safe and keep running!

Jullay!

Chewang Motup Goba

Race Director – Ladakh Marathon

Silk Route Ultra / 122Km: Thursday, 9th September 2021

 

Khardung-La Challenge / 72Km: Friday, 10th September 2021

 

Full Marathon / Half Marathon / 10.5 Km / Run Ladakh For Fun 5Km:

Sunday, 12th September 2021

 

Our hotel "Ratna Hotel Ladakh" is located on the Full Marathon track and an official recommended accommodation.

 

We organize complete Marathon Packages with proper acclimatization and sight-seeing.

 

Please contact us for all arrrangements: erica.ratnavoyages@gmail.com

 

Wir sprechen auch Deutsch!

Nous parlons aussi français!

Parliamo anche italiano!

9TH LADAKH MARATHON 2020: 11-13TH SEPTEMBER 2020

Event cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic. See you all next year, hopefully!

Ladakh Marathon 2020 Book early at Ratna Hotel Ladakh

8TH LADAKH MARATHON 2019: SUNDAY, 8TH SEPTEMBER 2019

The world's highest AIMS certified Marathon

Khardung-La Challenge: Friday, 6th September 2019

 

Full Marathon / Half Marathon / Run Ladakh For Fun:

Sunday, 8th September 2019

 

Our hotel "Ratna Hotel Ladakh" is located on the Full Marathon track and an official recommended accommodation.

 

We organize complete Marathon Packages with proper acclimatization and sight-seeing.

 

Please contact us for all arrrangements: erica.ratnavoyages@gmail.com

 

Wir sprechen auch Deutsch!

Nous parlons aussi français!

Parliamo anche italiano!

Ladakh Marathon 2019

7TH LADAKH MARATHON 2018: SUNDAY, 9TH SEPTEMBER 2018

The world's highest AIMS certified Marathon

Ratna Hotel Ladakh: recommended accommodation Ladakh Marathon
Ladakh Marathon: 9th September 2018

The Ladakh Marathon is the World's highest Marathon at 3500mts / 11,500ft. The race begins and ends in Leh, the historical capital of Ladakh, taking you through the outskirts and the stunning Leh Valley where the race track crosses the Indus River several times.

 

Race categories:

  • 07 KM Race
  • Half Marathon
  • Full Marathon
  • Khardung-La Ultra-Marathon Challenge (72 KM)

 

You run - We organize your trip:

 

Contact us now to organize your personal Ladakh Marathon experience!

 

We personalize your program including appropriate acclimatization prior to the race (Pangong Lake, Tsomoriri Lake, or Stok Kangri trek & expedition), Marathon participation, and Ladakh sight-seeing before and after the race.

 

Our own new hotel "Ratna Hotel Ladakh", located in Chuchot-Choglamsar on the race track, will be your comfortable home and oasis of tranquillity and relax.

 

Contact Mrs. Erica now to take care of your Ladakh Marathon 2017:

 

erica.ratnavoyages@gmail.com

 

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Ladakh Marathon Race Days: 2018

Ultra Marathon Khardung-La Challenge:

Friday, 7th September 2018

Elevation Chart for Khardung-La Challenge Ultra Marathon
Elevation Chart for Khadung-La Challenge Ultra Marathon

Full Marathon, Half Marathon, Run For Fun 7Km:

Sunday, 9th September 2018

Ladakh Full Marathon Route 2018
Ladakh Full Marathon Route 2018
Ladakh Full Marathon Elevation Chart 2018
Ladakh Full Marathon Elevation Chart 2018
Ladakh Half Marathon Route 2018
Ladakh Half Marathon Route 2018
Ladakh Half Marathon Elevation Chart 2018
Ladakh Half Marathon Elevation Chart 2018
Run Ladakh For Fun 7Km Route 2018
Run Ladakh For Fun 7Km Route 2018

6TH LADAKH MARATHON: SUNDAY, 10TH SEPTEMBER 2017

The world's highest Marathon

Ladakh Marathon: 10th September 2017
Ladakh Marathon: 10th September 2017

5TH LADAKH MARATHON: SUNDAY, 11TH SEPTEMBER 2016

ladakh Marathon: 11th September 2016

4TH LADAKH MARATHON: SUNDAY, 13TH SEPTEMBER 2015

Ladakh Marathon, India, 13 Setptember 2015
Article appeared in Distance Running, 2015 Edition 4
Marathon_Article.pdf
Adobe Acrobat Document 307.4 KB
Ladakh Marathon: 9th September 2018

3RD LADAKH MARATHON: SUNDAY, 14TH SEPTEMBER 2014

The Ladakh Marathon (42.1 KM.) is the world’s highest marathon.

If you are a serious long distance runner this is one course you will want under your belt and be talking about for a long time to come.

Ladakh Marathon 3rd Edition on 14th September, 2014
Ladakh Marathon: 9th September 2018

Our heartily congratulations to all Runners and Winners!


The official Race Results will be available on: www.ladakhmarathon.com

Ladakh Marathon: 9th September 2018

MARATHON
The 42.1 km. course veers west to Changspa, loosing elevation as one proceeds towards the Army Officer’s mess and Army general hospital and the Leh Airport. Runners then go past the Hall of Fame from where the race heads for Spituk Gompa, passing through the village of Spituk crossing the mighty River Indus. After this, the race passes the village of Palam, where pretty fields of barley welcome you. Then the run takes you past another pretty village named Chuchot. From here we get magnificent views of the Stok Range and the Indus Valley. Heading south towards Shey, we take a loop just before the Shashi Bridge at Chuchot. Passing through the village of Chuchot, the course is lined with Willow and Poplar trees as we continue to the village of Choglamsar where we again cross the River Indus. From here the course gradually ascends and passes the summer residence of H.H. The XIV Dalai Lama and the Mahabodhi campus. After this the final 2km run is on the Leh-Manali highway before finishing at the Ladakh Public School.

Ladakh Full Marathon Profile
Ladakh Full Marathon Profile

HALF MARATHON
The Half Marathon (21.1 Km. )  starts at the Shanti Stupa which was built in 1985 to commemorate world peace and offers some of the most stunning views of Leh, the capital of Ladakh. The course veers west to Changspa, loosing elevation as one proceeds towards the Army Officer’s mess and Army general hospital and the Leh Airport. Runners then go past the Hall of fame from where the race heads for Spituk Gompa. From here onwards, the course turns South passing through the Spituk village along the true right bank of River Indus to arrive at Choglamsar (approx 6kms). From here the course meets the main Leh-Manali highway and it is an uphill run for about 4kms, running past Tibetan Refugee settlement, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and HIMANK headquarters. For the final 2.5kms the trail flattens as we enter Leh town to finish at Ladakh Public School grounds.

Ladakh Half Marathon Profile
Ladakh Half Marathon Profile

07 KM RUN LADAKH FOR FUN
This race starts at the Shanti Stupa which was built in 1985 to commemorate world peace and offers some of the most stunning views of Leh, the capital of Ladakh. The course veers North towards the Tisura Stupa, a structure that dates back to the 16th century which is now in ruins. Runners then go past a sanctuary for local donkeys and then towards the Gompa Village before they turn east towards the Lamdon School. The course from here is all downhill from Lamdon School, passing through the Women’s Alliance and the Leh market and taking the Sheynam Road to finish point at Ladakh Public School grounds.

Ladakh 7Km "Run For Fun" Profile
Ladakh 7Km "Run For Fun" Profile

KHARDUNG-LA CHALLENGE
The Khardung-La Challenge begins at Khardung village (3975mts/13,042ft) with the route involving a gentle but steady climb to the Khardung-La top, one of the world’s highest passes and goes till 5370mts/17,618ft before the route descends to Leh, the capital of Ladakh 3524mts/11,562ft. The Khardung-La Pass is the high point along the route and the world’s highest motorable road. Runners get spectacular mountain views of the Karakoram and Stok Ranges, running past mountain villages and summer pasture land of yaks of the Nubra Valley and North Pullu. From the top of Khardung-La it’s all downhill to Leh. The distance is 72Km.

Ladakh Khardung-La Challenge Profile
Ladakh Khardung-La Challenge Profile
Ladakh Marathon 2014
Photo at Ladakh Festival Opening Ceremony on 20th September 2013, Polo Ground, Leh
Ladakh Marathon 2014
Official Announcement of 3rd Edition of Ladakh Marathon 2014

2ND LADAKH MARATHON: SUNDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 2013

Ladakh Marathon, Khardung-la Challenge, world's highest marathon
The ultimate Marathon challenge: Khardung-La, 72Km (Photo credit by Stanzin Dukgyais)
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RACE CATEGORIES AND DESCRIPTIONS

Ladakh Marathon 10Km, world's highest marathon

10KM

 

This race starts at the Shanti Stupa which was built in 1985 to commemorate world peace and offers some of the most stunning views of Leh, the capital of Ladakh. The course veers north towards the Tisura Stupa, a structure that dates back to the 16th century which is now in ruins. Runners then go past a sanctuary for local donkeys and then towards the Gompa Village before they turn east towards the road to the Khardung La pass and Nubra valley. There’s a bit of a flat section along a stretch of road overlooking Lamdon School but after that it is all downhill from the Tsemo bend towards Skampar, the polo ground and taxi/bus stands before the finish point at the Petrol Pump.

Ladakh Marathon 21Km, Half Marathon, world's highest marathon

21KM HALF MARATHON

 

The course begins at the 10 km start and then continues along the Petrol Pump towards Housing Colony. After TCP the course veers left and follows a newly built road to the Dalai Lama’s summer residence in Ladakh. Runners will turn right on the main Leh-Manali Highway and go past the Tibetan refugee settlement, the Indo Tibetan Border Police camp and HIMANK headquarters and then return to the Petrol Pump for the finish.

Ladakh Marathon Full 42Km, world's highest marathon

42KM FULL MARATHON

 

The Ladakh Full Marathon starts at the Petrol Pump on the Leh-Manali Highway and goes past the HIMANK headquarters, the Tibetan Refugee Settlement and the Dalai Lama’s summer residence in Ladakh. After Sindhu Ghat the course heads towards and through Shey Village and the famous Shey Palace. Runners will go past the Druk White Lotus School and cross the Shey bridge over the Indus River to Chushot Shama. There is a flat section to Chushot Yokma and Spituk Bridge from where it is all uphill to the Petrol Pump past the Spituk monastery, Leh Airport, military base and Zorawar Fort.

Ladakh Marathon, Khardungla Challenge, world's highest marathon

72KM KHARDUNG-LA CHALLENGE

 

The Khardung-La Challenge begins at Khardung village (4267mt/14,000 ft) with the route involving a gentle but steady climb to the top of Khardung-La, the world’s highest motorable road (5602mt/18,380 ft) before the route descends to Leh, the capital of Ladakh at 3524mt/11,562 ft.

 

Runners pass mountain village and summer pasture land of yaks in Nubra Valley and North Pullu. From Khardung-La top the course is all downhill to Leh.

1ST LADAKH MARATHON: 9TH SEPTEMBER 2012

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