Ladakh Marathon 2023 – 10th Edition

Posted On 03 Apr 2023
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AGE ELIGIBILITY as on 10th September 2023 for various races is:

Race Category Age Criteria( more than )
Run Ladakh for Fun (05 KM)  12 years
11.2 KM Run  14 years
Half Marathon (21.1 KM)  16 years
Marathon (42.1 KM)  18 years
Khardung La Challenge (72 KM)  20 years
 Silk Route Ultra (122 KM)  24 years
 Veterans (all races)  52 years

Besides the age limit runners should be in good physical condition to adapt and be able to run at high altitude. 

A NOTE ON HIGH ALTITUDE RUNNING

Any person who travels to high altitude places (above 2500m) experiences altitude sickness as body needs to adjust to change in oxygen levels. If one allows the body enough time, most people could adjust to altitudes. And it depends entirely on one’s personal body condition to acclimatise. Participants should be in good physical condition to adapt and be able to run at high altitude of Ladakh at 11,500ft. The shortest run of 05km may sound to be the easiest but running same at such high altitude is an altogether different experience. So arriving early for your race is imperative, important and should not be taken in a light manner.

A NOTE ON BIB COLLECTION

  • It is mandatory for all participants to collect running bib in person. Please schedule your travel plan and itinerary as per BIB collection dates. 
  • BIB collection dates are 
  1. Wednesday 30th August and Thursday 31st August for the Silk Route Ultra and Khardungla Challenge
  2. Sunday 3rd September and Monday 4th September for Marathon, Half Marathon, 11.2km Run and 05km Run Ladakh for Fun
  3. If any participant is found wearing another participant BIB, he/she will be disqualified and not allowed future participation in Ladakh Marathon.

QUALIFICATION NOTES

The following eligibility criteria are mandatory for all participants of all races, except the 05km Run Ladakh for Fun. Entries for these categories will be screened and if you do not fulfil the requirement the organiser has the right to reject your application.

  • Stadium Runs do not count as qualification races.
  • 24-Hour Races do not count as qualification races.
  • Virtual Runs do not count as qualification races.

11.2 KM Run

Participant must have completed EITHER two 10km runs under 1 hour 30 minutes in past two years (atleast one between 10th September 2022 and 4th June 2023) OR one Half Marathon under 3hrs between 10th September 2022 and 4th June 2023).

 HALF MARATHON

  1. Participant must have completed EITHER one Half Marathon under 3 hours between 10th September 2022 and 4th June 2023 OR two 10km runs under 1 hour 30 minutes in past two years(atleast one between 10th September 2022 and 4th June 2023).
  2. Finisher of 2022 Ladakh 10.5km Run is eligible to register for Half Marathon.

 MARATHON

  1. Participant must have completed EITHER one Marathon under 6hrs between 10th September 2022 and 4th June 2023 OR two Half Marathons under 3hrs in past two years(atleast one between 10th September 2022 and 4th June 2023).
  2. Finisher of 2022 Ladakh Half Marathon is eligible to register for Marathon.

 

NOTE ON ULTRA RUNS:  The Silk Route Ultra & Khardungla Challenge runs are amongst the toughest and HIGHEST Marathons in the world.  Acclimatisation is of utmost importance for these races. Acclimatisation is your body’s adaptation to the altitude and is not determined by individual fitness levels.

It is mandatory that you arrive in Leh minimum of 10 days ahead for these races and collect your bibs in person at the Ladakh Marathon EXPO on Wednesday 30th August and Thursday 31st August 2023. 

 

KHARDUNGLA CHALLENGE (72km)

Participant who fulfils any one option listed below is eligible to APPLY for this race. Please ensure that you meet the eligibility before submitting your application.

  1. Finisher of two Full Marathons under 5hrs in past two years(atleast one between 10th September 2022 and 4th June 2023).
  2. Finisher of 2022 Ladakh Marathon (42km).
  3. Finisher of previous years Ladakh Marathon (42km) AND one Full Marathon under 5hrs between 10th September 2022 and and 4th June 2023.
  4. Finisher of EITHER two 70km Ultra Marathons under 11hrs in past two years(atleast one between 10th September 2022 and 4th June 2023) OR two Ultra Marathons over 70km with a pace of 6km/hr in past two years(atleast one between 10th September 2022 and 4th June 2023)
  5. Finisher of a Full Marathon under 5hrs AND a 50km Ultra Marathon under 6hrs (atleast one between 10th September 2022 and 4th June 2023).

Application will be confirmed once documents submitted towards eligibility criteria have been verified within 10 working days, after which payment link will be shared. The organiser reserves the right to disallow / disqualify any participant who is known or suspected to be physically unfit to participate in this race. Please note that the number of participants to this race is restricted to a maximum of 200 runners.

SILK ROUTE ULTRA (122km)

Participant who fulfils any one option listed below is eligible to APPLY for this race. Please ensure that you meet the eligibility before submitting your application.

  1. Finisher of Khardung La Challenge in 2022.
  2. Participant of 2022 Silk Route Ultra.
  3. Finisher of one Ultra Marathon over 100km under 17hrs AND one Marathon under 5hrs (both between 10th September 2022 and 4th June 2023).
  4. Finisher of Khardungla Challenge of previous years BUT having EITHER an Ultra Marathon of 100km under 17hrs OR Marathon under 5hrs between 10th September 2022 and 4th June 2023.

Application will be confirmed once documents submitted towards eligibility criteria have been verified within 10 working days, after which payment link will be shared. The organiser reserves the right to disallow / disqualify any participant who is known or suspected to be physically unfit to participate in this race. Please note that the number of participants to this race is restricted to a maximum of 60 runners.

Besides the above, the following nationalities cannot participate in the Silk Route Ultra and the Khardung La Challenge as they are excluded from the restricted area permit which is required for the Khardung La pass.

  1. a) Citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan and foreign nationals having their origin in these countries
  2. b) Diplomatic passport holders

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