Ladakh creates Guinness world record for high altitude frozen lake marathon

Ladakh has created a history by successfully managing its maiden 21-km trail running event in sub-zero temperature at 13,862 ft high Pangong Tso. With this, it has created a Guinness world record for conducting the world's highest frozen lake half marathon.

The four-hour long marathon started from Lukung and ended at Maan village recently, and no injury was reported to any of the 75 participants. The same was informed by Leh District Development Commissioner Shrikant Balasaheb Suse. The half marathon was named the 'Last Run' to make people aware and remind them about climate change and the need to save the Himalayas. Revealing more on this, Suse added that the first-ever Pangong frozen lake half marathon has now been officially registered in the Guinness book of World Records.
He elaborated that apart from spreading the message of ecological awareness among the stakeholders via sports, the aim of this marathon was also to promote sustainable winter tourism in border villages of eastern Ladakh and boost livelihood opportunities for the residents, especially in winters.

The marathon was flagged off by Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC (Leh) Tashi Gyalson, and five energy stations were set up along the route, along with medical teams, energy drinks, oxygen support, and mobile ambulances.
Reports have it that all the participants underwent six-day acclimatisation, in accordance with the SOPs decided by the district administration and also underwent medical examination to ensure that they were fit for running. They were also allowed to run only after wearing safety gears to avoid slipping on ice.