Ladakh – High Course Marathon
Ladakh will be hosting the toughest marathon in August 2011. The coldest desert region of Ladakh, where the oxygen is 40 per cent less than sea level is poised to witness Everest Marathon, covering a distance of 222 kms probably toughest ultra Marathon in world from August 11.
This will be 4-day 222 km-long Everest marathon in Ladakh from August 11. The 222-km-long High Course Marathon will conclude on August 14, after a run up to Khardungla (18380 feet), the highest motorable mountain pass in the world, down to Leh, and then up again to Tanglangla (17583 feet) and finishing at Morey Plains with a 60 hours cut off.
The high average altitude, the partial pressure of oxygen is less than 40 per cent than at sea level where the oxygen content of the air is less than 33 per cent of what is at sea level. This race will test human fitness and endurance along the Leh-Manali Highway which is only open for four summer months during the year.
The event is being promoted as vision to Get India Fit (GIFT) by starting a movement to promote higher level of physical fitness amongst Indians and help the local community develop in Leh-Ladakh. Such events in Leh will be beneficial as it would help to promote a pro-active domestic response to climate change in Ladakh region, which has suffered badly due to sudden and unprecedented flood of August 2010. Homes, schools, clinics and business establishment were badly hit in the calamity and the town is still in the process of recovery and reconstruction.
A parallel event has been organized in Nepal since 1987. The Everest Marathon organized in Nepal is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the highest marathon in the world. The start line is at Gorak Shep 5184m (17,000 feet), close to Everest Base Camp in Nepal. The finish is at the Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar at 3446m (11,300 feet) and the course is a measured 42 km (26.2 miles) over rough mountain trails. It is the world’s most spectacular race and has been held thirteen times since 1987.
To acclimatize naturally to the high altitude all runners join together for a 26 day holiday in Nepal. This holiday combines sightseeing in the capital, Katmandu, a 15 day trek to the start under medical supervision, ascents of Gokyo Ri (5483m) and Kala Pattar (5623m) for the best views of Everest and one of the most gruelling races in the world.
The course of race will consist of downhill which help racers to relax and uphill sections will be very tough and enduring along the picturesque landscape. Although high altitude coolness will soothe to racers, they have to tackle the low pressure of oxygen. Hope the event catches up with many endurance events occurring all around the world.
Tags: Everest Marathon, Get India Fit, GIFT, Ladakh, Leh, Marathon
