Jaipur: Sixteen runners from Jaipur have completed some of the country's toughest high-altitude endurance races: the Ladakh Marathon (42.2 KM), the Khardung La Challenge (72 KM), the Silk Route Ultra (122 KM) and the 77 KM Spiti Ultra Marathon organised by the Indian Army. The standout result came from Suraj Meena, who finished second overall in the 122 KM Silk Route Ultra.
Racing in Ladakh and Spiti is a very different test from a city marathon. The Ladakh Marathon is run at around 11,500 feet, where low oxygen, cold, rough mountain terrain and unpredictable weather push even experienced runners to their limit. The Jaipur group finished their races on the back of months of training and preparation.
A Podium Finish in the 122 KM Silk Route Ultra
The longest race on the list, the 122 KM Silk Route Ultra, was completed by Suraj Meena and Mahesh Dwivedi. Suraj Meena's overall second place earned him a podium finish, a strong result for Jaipur's endurance running community.
Khardung La, Ladakh and Spiti
Five Jaipur runners took on the 72 KM Khardung La Challenge and finished the ultra marathon: Sukesh Jhakar, Prateek Garg, Nihal Kothari, Riju Jacob and Shivangi Sharda.
In the 42.2 KM Ladakh Marathon, Shobhit Marwah, Aman Gandhi, Shubham Runthla, Harshith, Rajesh Panwar and Kapil Sharma all completed the race, while Akshat Khanpur ran the 21 KM category.
Balram Yadav and Rahul Kaler completed the 77 KM Spiti Ultra Marathon, organised by the Indian Army.
Jaipur's Finishers at a Glance
122 KM – Silk Route Ultra
- Suraj Meena – 2nd overall
- Mahesh Dwivedi
72 KM – Khardung La Challenge
- Sukesh Jhakar
- Prateek Garg
- Nihal Kothari
- Riju Jacob
- Shivangi Sharda
42.2 KM – Ladakh Marathon
- Shobhit Marwah
- Aman Gandhi
- Shubham Runthla
- Harshith
- Rajesh Panwar
- Kapil Sharma
21 KM
- Akshat Khanpur
77 KM – Spiti Ultra Marathon
- Balram Yadav
- Rahul Kaler
Recognition Back Home
The effort to bring the runners together and recognise their achievements is being led by Harendra Saini, Director of Cosine Solar Pvt. Ltd. A get-together and felicitation ceremony for the runners was planned in Jaipur on October 2, to celebrate their results and the city's growing running community.
For the runners, these races were about more than a finish line. They were a test of endurance against altitude, thin air, hard terrain and changing weather, and a chance to see months of training hold up in real race conditions far from home.
Planning your own next run? Find upcoming sports events in Jaipur on I Love Jaipur City.
