L-G VK Saxena felicitates winners of Silk Route Ultra and Khardung La Challenge; Ladakh Marathon attracts 7,500 runners
Leh, September 11: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Friday felicitated winners of the Silk Route Ultra and Khardung La Challenge, two high-altitude endurance races held as part of the 13th Ladakh Marathon.
A total of 477 runners participated in the two gruelling events this year. The 122-km Silk Route Ultra was won by Ladakh Police’s Nawang Tsering, who completed the race in 12 hours, 12 minutes and 18 seconds and received the ₹5 lakh first prize. Rajasthan’s Suraj Meena finished second, while Rigzen Gyurmeth of 2 Ladakh Scouts secured third place.
In the 72-km Khardung La Challenge, Jigmet Stobdan of the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre emerged winner and took home ₹2.75 lakh. Shabir Hussain finished second and Singay Angchok third.
The 13th Ladakh Marathon, being held from September 10 to 13, has brought together 7,500 runners from 28 states and six Union Territories. International participants are expected from all six inhabited continents.
The event has also generated more than 70,000 bed nights and is estimated to have contributed ₹40-47 crore to Ladakh’s grassroots economy, benefiting hotels, homestays, taxi operators, restaurants, guides, artisans and small businesses.
Saxena said the growing popularity of the ultra races highlighted Ladakh’s potential as a global destination for high-altitude sports and adventure tourism. He also stressed that tourism growth must remain aligned with environmental protection.
The marathon carries a record ₹1 crore prize pool this year and follows a zero-single-use-plastic policy.
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