Excelsior Sports Correspondent
LEH, Sept 12: The prestigious Ladakh Marathon 2025 kicked off with an inspiring display of stamina and spirit, as athletes from across India and abroad competed in two of its most grueling events — the Silk Route Ultra and the Khardongla Challenge. Both races tested runners against Ladakh’s harsh high-altitude terrain and thin air, demanding not just physical strength but extraordinary mental resilience.
The Silk Route Ultra, a 122-kilometre endurance race, was flagged off from Kyagar, Nubra on the evening of September 11. The route took participants through the formidable Khardongla Pass before concluding in Leh. In the men’s category, Tsewang Kundan of Ladakh Scouts emerged victorious, completing the course in 13 hours, 50 minutes and 01 second, followed by Phuntsok Namgail (Ladakh Scouts) at 14:38:14 and Skarma Phurbu Tsering, who finished third with 15:01:01. In the women’s category, ultra runner Sufiya, popularly known as the Sufi Runner, claimed first place with a strong finish, while Asha Singh and Corina Vandam secured second and third places respectively. The top finishers were felicitated by Dr. SD Singh Jamwal, Director General of Police, Ladakh Police and PT Kunzang, CEO of Ladakh Marathon.
The equally iconic Khardongla Challenge, a 72 km race starting from Khardong village, tested participants over the world’s highest motorable pass before finishing in Leh. Shabbir Hussain of Ladakh Scouts won the men’s race with a time of 6:58:40, followed closely by Tsering Norboo (7:01:29) and Stanzin Namgyal of University of Ladakh (7:05:28). In the women’s division, Namgyal Lhamo, a Special Police Officer (SPO) with Ladakh Police, took first place in 8:31:46, followed by Evgeniia Barushnikova and Skarma Dewa Zesal. Winners were felicitated by Maj. Gen. Praveen Chhabra, GOC Leh Sub Area and Padma Chewang Mutup of Rimo Expeditions.
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