India’s First Ever Pangong Frozen Lake Marathon; Here’s Everything You Need To Know

In a first-ever, Ladakh will be hosting the Pangong Frozen Lake Marathon. Organised by Adventure Sports Foundation of Ladakh (ASFL), they are planning to raise awareness about climate change through the medium of sports and adventure. It is India’s first- frozen lake marathon, and it has a huge opportunity for participants.

Climate change and its adversities have been the topic of discussion for years now. Add irresponsible human behaviour and intervention to that, and it only becomes worse. The Himalayas are particularly vulnerable to these adverse effects of climate change, courtesy millions of tourists who visit Ladakh every year, leading to over-tourism. Owing to that, Pangong Tso is all set to host its first-ever frozen lake marathon, to highlight environmental sustainability.

All that you need to know about Pangong Frozen Lake Marathon

The maiden edition of the Pangong Frozen Lake Marathon, aka The Last Run, is scheduled to take place on February 20, 2023. With a 21-km trail, this marathon is not going to be like any other marathon, for obvious reasons. Due to extreme climatic conditions and the rough terrain, it is going to be a challenging one.

For that reason, the selection procedure will be strict and will focus on runners who have previous experience in high-altitude adventure sports, of 10,000 ft and above. All selected participants will have to go through the mandatory acclimatisation process through the activities planned by ASFL.

Apart from the adrenaline rush of this experience, there’s something else for participants. Held at an altitude of 13,862 ft, this could give participants a chance to make a Guinness World Record by participating in the world’s highest frozen lake marathon.

Chamba Tsetan, founder of ASFL and a member of the men’s ice hockey team of India and also the man behind this campaign said in an interview with News18, “Everyone knows the Pangong lake, but not many know that the glaciers over the mountains are rapidly melting.”

How to participate in the Pangong Frozen Lake Marathon?

One can register here to take part in the marathon.

Participants will have to purchase the entire marathon package for INR 46,500, including the acclimatisation activities. This is an 8-nights-9-day package that includes accommodation, food, airport and other transfers to and from Leh. Participants will have to get their own gear, as advised by ASFL. They have also mentioned that there will be a medical team and hot water available throughout the marathon, at every 5-km interval. There will also be an ambulance available throughout.

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