Ladakh Marathon Secures Support of Key Partners as Race Strengthens Global Ahead Of 13th Edition

The Ladakh Marathon, the world’s highest AIMS-certified marathon and an Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group Qualifier, has secured the support of eight key partners, including four new associations, for its 13th edition from September 10–13.

The expanded partner base comes as the race continues to strengthen its position on the international running calendar, with more than 7,200 registrations from 35 of India’s 36 states and Union Territories, over 28 countries, and all six inhabited continents.

Alongside its scale of participation, the race continues to stand apart for the nature of the challenge it presents, combining international race credentials with the demands of competing at extreme altitude in the Trans-Himalayan landscape, particularly through the demanding 122 km Silk Route Ultra and 72 km Khardung La Challenge.

This year, the Ladakh Marathon also expands into a wider festival of running and adventure, with the organisers bringing the renowned Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival to Leh and hosting the 2^nd Rimo Ice Hockey Championships 2026, bringing some of India’s best ice hockey teams together for fans.

For the 2026 edition, Bisleri continues as Hydration Partner, PUMA as Apparel Partner, Bajaj General Insurance as Insurance Partner and The Grand Dragon as Hospitality Partner. Joining the marathon for the first time are Fast & UP as Energy Partner, Renault as Transportation Partner, Max Protein as Protein Partner, and J&K Bank as Banking Partner. The breadth of these associations reflects the Ladakh Marathon’s growth beyond a race into a significant sporting platform with an increasingly diverse Indian and international audience.

The event is supported by a strong institutional network working across its routes and operations. The UT Administration of Ladakh, the Indian Army, Ladakh Police, Border Roads Organisation, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Ladakh Tourism, and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council will provide essential on-ground support across Leh, Khardung La and Nubra, helping ensure the safe and smooth execution of the four-day event.

Mr Chewang Motup Goba, Founder and Race Director, Ladakh Marathon, said: “The Ladakh Marathon has grown with every edition, and that growth has come from many people coming together and believing in what we are building here. Today, we have runners coming from almost every part of India and from across the world, and partners who see the value of being part of this journey. For us, the next step is not simply to become bigger, but stronger and more meaningful for Ladakh, while continuing to offer runners a race experience that they cannot find anywhere else in the world.”

The 2026 programme will continue to feature six races across four days: the 122 km Silk Route Ultra, the 72 km Khardung La Challenge, the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 11.2 km Run and 5 km Run for Fun. The Silk Route Ultra starts from Kyagar village in Nubra Valley at approximately 10,700 ft and climbs towards Khardung La at 17,618 ft.

The Khardung La Challenge begins at Khardung village and also finishes at the high mountain pass. With Leh situated at around 11,500 ft, the races take place at extreme altitude and require runners to acclimatise in the region for at least one to two weeks before competing.

Certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), the Ladakh Marathon serves as an Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group Qualifier, providing runners with a recognised pathway into the global age-group marathon circuit. The race’s highaltitude setting and international credentials have established it as a distinctive fixture on the global running calendar.

The marathon also contributes to the local economy through the extended stay of runners and accompanying visitors. Participants typically arrive ahead of race weekend to acclimatise and often remain in Ladakh beyond the event, generating more than 70,000 bed nights and an estimated US$4.2–4.9 million, or ₹40–47 crore, in grassroots economic activity. The impact extends across family-run guesthouses and homestays, taxi operators, restaurants, traditional artisans and other local businesses, while helping extend the visitor season into September.

The event’s growth is accompanied by a continued focus on environmental responsibility in the fragile Trans-Himalayan region. Single-use plastics have been prohibited at Ladakh Marathon race venues since 2019, with the event working with participants and local communities to minimise waste. The junior race categories also incorporate environmental awareness, with schoolchildren collecting PET bottles as an entry contribution.

The Ladakh Marathon was founded in 2012 in the aftermath of the 2010 flash floods, with the aim of bringing people together through sport and creating a new platform for Ladakh. Since its first edition, the race has grown into an international event, attracting runners from across the globe while continuing to involve local communities across its routes.