Pangong frozen lake marathon to be held on Feb 20

A unique and distinctive marathon, shedding light on the impact of climate change on Himalayan glaciers in Ladakh, will be organised on February 20 on the frozen Pangong Lake near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

The event will mark its second edition, and will take place at an elevation of nearly 4,350 m above sea level, showcasing the unique challenges of running on a frozen lake.

Organised by the Adventure Sports Foundation of Ladakh (ASFL) in collaboration with the Tourism Department and Ladakh administration, this marathon stands out for its commitment to sustainability.

Revealing more about this, the organisers added that the event will take place with a sustainable approach, ensuring no use of plastic water bottles and waste-generating products are used during the event.

In a message, the organisers elaborated on the unifying power of sports to bring together people of diverse races and religions, especially in addressing larger issues such as the climate crisis.

The Pangong frozen lake marathon, a unique initiative, is deliberately limited to 50 runners of all abilities for this year. 

Globally, frozen lake marathons, like the Icebug Frozen Lake Marathon in Norway, have gained recognition as thrilling adventure activities. 

Running in winter poses inherent challenges, but doing so on a frozen lake adds an extra layer of excitement for adventurers from across the country and the world.

A delegation led by Chamba Tsetan, the founder of the Adventure Sports Federation of Ladakh, met with Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor, Brig BD Mishra (retd), to discuss the upcoming marathon.

The event, officially recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the World’s Highest Frozen Lake Half Marathon, aims to boost winter tourism in Changthang and promote sustainability on a global scale.

This year's marathon will include both full and half marathons on the frozen Pangong Lake, preceded by proper acclimatisation in Leh. 

Safety measures will include a medical team and hot water points at 5 km intervals, accompanied by an ambulance available throughout the event.