New Delhi, Aug 8 (UNI) The Ladakh Marathon will offer a record prize pool of Rs 1 crore in its 2026 edition, as the high-altitude event looks to attract more international athletes and give a further boost to sports tourism in the region.
The marathon is scheduled to take place from September 10 to 13 and is expected to draw more than 10,000 visitors. The organisers said runners from across India and around the world are expected to participate.
“This year, the event will welcome runners from 28 Indian states and six union Territories, while international participants will represent all six inhabited continents, underlining the event’s growing stature on the global endurance calendar,” stated a release.
The increased prize purse is part of efforts to raise the profile of the event and strengthen Ladakh’s position as a destination for sports tourism.
Sanjit Rodrigues, Administrative Secretary, Tourism & Culture, UT Ladakh, said, “The decision of the Lieutenant Governor, UT Ladakh, to increase the prize pool to Rs 1 crore reflects our commitment to strengthening the event’s global stature, promoting sports tourism, and creating greater opportunity for athletes.”
The 2026 edition will feature several races across different distances. These include the full marathon, half marathon, 11.2km run and the 5km Run for Fun.
The event will also feature two of the world’s most challenging ultra-distance races – the 72km Khardung La Challenge and the 122km Silk Route Ultra.
