FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Ladakh Marathon is Up and Running!
Ladakh Marathon 2012 - Run Ladakh
Leh, J&K, July 22, 2012: Runners taking part in the first Ladakh Marathon
can now register online at www.ladakhmarathon.com or in person at two
locations in Leh, Ladakh.
Race day for Run Ladakh is on 9 September 2012 with four events including a
10 km run, a half-marathon and a full marathon around the capital of Leh at
an altitude of 3524 metres (11,562 feet.) There is also the extreme
Khardung La Challenge where runners take part in the highest endurance run
across one of the world's highest passes 5602 metres (18,380 feet.)
The races are being organized with the support of the Ministry of Tourism
& Culture, Government of Jammu and Kashmir and the Ladakh Autonomous
Hill Development Council. It is an opportunity to run shoulder to shoulder
with local Ladakhis and experience the stunning beauty of a high mountain
desert landscape where the Kararkoram mountains and the Himalaya meet.
The races take place during the Ladakh Festival, a two-week long
celebration of sport, culture and tradition that offers the best of this
predominantly Buddhist region dotted with ancient monasteries, high
mountain passes and stark landscape populated by explosions of greenery
made possible through ingenious irrigation channels.
In a letter of support for the event, Shri Nawang Rigzin Jora, Hon'ble
Minister of Tourism & Culture, Government of Jammu & Kashmir said the event
is a potent symbol of the never-say-die attitude of the Ladakhi people,
many of whom suffered greatly during the flash floods of 2010. "I am amazed
at spirit of my people, and l salute them! " said Jora. "It took us little
time to recover and get back on our feet. We are not only up on our feet
again but are ready to run and that, too, a marathon."
Shri Rigzin Spalbar, chairman of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development
Council said he hoped the eco-friendly "green" marathon would encourage the
young people of Ladakh to live a healthy lifestyle by taking up running and
become more aware of the need to protect a stunningly beautiful but
environmentally fragile region. "It will be the first Marathon held here
that will give Ladakhis, especially the youth, an opportunity to
participate," said Spalbar. "The event is a great opportunity to help
promote awareness about the need to live a healthy lifestyle and a clean
environment."
For registration details and options including walk-in locations please
visit the registration page at www.ladakhmarathon.com.
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