The Union Territory of Ladakh made history by successfully completing its first 21-kilometer trail running event in sub-zero temperatures at 13,862 feet high Pangong Tso, which was registered as the world’s highest frozen lake half marathon by Guinness World Records.
Spread across the border of India and China, the 700-square kilometer Pangong Lake records a temperature of minus 30 degrees Celsius during winter, making the salt water lake frozen with ice.
The four-hour long marathon started from Lukung and ended at Maan village on Monday with no injury reported to any of the 75 participants, Leh District Development Commissioner Shrikant Balasaheb Suse told.
Named as the ‘Last Run’ to remind the people about the climate change and need to save the Himalayas, the marathon was organised by the Adventure Sports Foundation of Ladakh (ASFL) in collaboration with Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, Tourism Department, Ladakh and Leh district administration.
“The first Pangong frozen lake half marathon is now officially registered in the Guinness book of world records,” Suse said.
According to the district development commissioner, all participants received six days of acclimatisation — four days in Leh and two days in Pangong — in accordance with the district administration’s SOPs. Participants were also subjected to a medical examination to ensure that they were physically fit to run.
Suse stated that all medical facilities along the route were equipped with trained personnel and equipment to handle any medical emergencies, and that the event received active support from the Indian Army and ITBP in terms of medical support and logistics.
Personnel from the Union Territory Disaster Response Force and the Ladakh Mountain Guide Association were stationed along the route to ensure the runners’ safety. According to the officer, the route was chosen after a thorough inspection of the frozen layer of ice.
“Congratulations, we have made it to the world record. Indeed a successful event inspired by Prime Minister @narendramodi’s #VibrantVillages Programme for border regions,” Gyalson tweeted.