Firdous Hassan
Srinagar: Asia’s first high-altitude climate marathon is all set to be held at frozen Pangong Tso lake.
`The Last Run’ is being held on February 20 to highlight the issues related to climate change through sports. The marathon is all set to enter the Guinness Book of World Records.
Organized by the Adventure Sports Foundation of Ladakh (ASFL), Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, and the Tourism Department of Ladakh, 75 local and foreign athletes will participate in the event.
The 21 km long marathon is the first of its kind in India and the marathon will take place at an altitude of 13,862 ft, making it the first marathon in the world to ever take place at this altitude.
The organizers said that the process related to the entry of the marathon into the Guinness Book of World Records is currently going on.
“The process for making it into the Guinness Book of World Records is going on. The record titles have been approved. Right now we are busy with the preparations for this biggest event,” ASFL founder and organizer of the marathon Chamba Tsetan told The Kashmir Monitor.
He said the main motive of the marathon is to promote sustainable winter tourism as well as send a message to the world about rapidly melting glaciers.
“The title of the marathon implies that this could be the last run in the Himalayas because glaciers are melting rapidly due to global climate change,” Tsetan said.
The frozen lake marathon has been a well-known adventure worldwide. Iceberg Frozen Lake Marathon is a popular sport in Norway. This is the first such event to be held in Asia.
Tashi Gyalson Chief Executive Councilor LAHDC Leh said the event is going to be rare and unique to promote Ladakh tourism and conserve its glaciers.
“This attempt is being registered in the Guinness Book of World Records. The main objective of the event is to promote sustainable and round-the-year tourism in Ladakh, particularly in the rural belt of Ladakh,” he said.
The local administration has also chipped in to support the marathon. “This is very good news coming from Ladakh. It is a unique initiative. The event is being supported by the UT administration of Ladakh,” said Deputy Commissioner Ladakh Shrikant Balasaheb Suse said.
The marathon will be held after the proper acclimatization of participants in Leh. As per the organizers, there will be a hot water point and the medical team every five kilometers.
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