Tsewang Rigzin
LEH: The Fifth Ladakh Marathon, an annual event that takes places in Leh, is scheduled to be held on 11th September, 2016. Being the sixth Marathon in India to be recognised by Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), it has put the event on the global marathon calendar.
Founder Rimo Expeditions, Chewang Motup Goba told this on Tuesday at Leh at an event organised to felicitate Ladakhi marathon runners who participated Mumbai and Goa Marathons last winter where many runners scored seconds and thirds in open categories. Rimo Expeditions, a leading adventure company, has also founded the Ladakh Marathon with support from Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh and Ministry of Tourism and Cultural, J and K Government four years ago.
In September 2012, Rimo Expeditions staged its first Ladakh Marathon, a composite of four sub events – a 10km run (now shortened to 7km), a half marathon (21.1km), a full marathon(41.1km) and Khardongla challenge ( a 71.2 km-ultra marathon over the 17,617ft-high Khardung La pass).
Over the past four years it has grown in size and popularity and has been featured as one of the top ten beautiful and breathtaking marathons in the world. Khardongla challenge is now world’s highest among the toughest marathons that attracts some of the best runners across the globe.
Motup Goba, the person instrumental behind Ladakh Marathon’s success, informed that due to its success in the last 4 years the Ladakh Marathon is now eligible to cast a vote in the world marathon forum. He said that the Ladakhis have an advantage in long distance running and that in time with proper training there would be Ladakhi runners competing both at national and International challenges and events. And Ladakh Marathon has given the youth a platform to realize their dreams and potential.
J and K Minister for Cooperatives and Ladakh Affairs, Chering Dorjay Lakruk, Chief Executive Councilor, LAHDC, Leh Dr. Sonam Dawa, Congress legislative Party Leader and MLA Leh, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Executive Councillors, Deputy Commissioner Leh Prassana Ramaswamy G, and social and political leaders of Leh were among a galaxy of dignitaries present on the occasion.
Chering Dorjay Lakruk and Nawang Rigzin Jora both came down heavily on the J and K State Sports Council for its incompetency, inefficiencies and irregularities. Both leaders cited examples of how the State Sports Council has been indifferent to Ladakhi players from the time of Rigzin Angmo who had won the Bankgkok Marathon in 1995.
This year as many as 5000 runners are expected to take part in the Ladakh marathon 2016.
