India’s First Frozen-Lake Marathon Held At Pangong Tso In Ladakh
India organised its first-ever “Frozen-Lake Marathon” at the iconic Pangong Tso lake in Ladakh at an altitude of 13,862 feet. The 21-km marathon, titled “Last Run”, was organised to raise awareness regarding climate change, particularly the rapid melting of Himalayan glaciers.The event was conducted on the frozen surface of Pangong Lake under extreme winter conditions, with temperatures touching nearly –30°C.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Frozen-Lake Marathon (“Last Run”) |
| Location | Pangong Tso, Ladakh |
| Date | 20 February 2023 |
| Altitude | 13,862 feet |
| Distance | 21 km |
| Route | Lukung to Maan village |
| Participants | 75 athletes |
| International Participation | 4 international runners |
The marathon was named “Last Run” to draw global attention toward:
The event symbolised the urgency of protecting the Himalayan cryosphere.
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| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | High-altitude endorheic saltwater lake |
| Region | Ladakh |
| Shared By | India and China |
| Winter Temperature | Around –30°C |
| Nature | Freezes during winter despite being saline |
The freezing of a saltwater lake itself makes Pangong Tso geographically significant.
The marathon aimed to diversify winter tourism in Ladakh beyond:
It sought to promote tourism in the:
The event was linked with the broader vision of:
The Vibrant Village Scheme seeks to improve infrastructure and economic opportunities in villages near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
| Agency | Role |
|---|---|
| Adventure Sports Foundation of Ladakh (ASFL) | Organiser |
| Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council | Coordination |
| Tourism Department | Promotion |
| Leh District Administration | Logistics |
| Indian Army | Security & emergency support |
| ITBP | Safety & coordination |
| SDRF | Disaster preparedness |
Given the harsh environment and altitude, extensive safety measures were implemented.
These measures were essential to prevent:
The organisers attempted to register the event as:
This added international visibility to Ladakh’s adventure tourism potential.
The event highlighted concerns regarding:
The Himalayas are often called the:
because they contain vast reserves of ice and freshwater.
The marathon created awareness about:
It also showcased how sports can become a platform for environmental advocacy.
Pangong Tso lies within an ecologically fragile cold desert ecosystem.
Any ecological imbalance in such regions can have long-term consequences.
The event can support:
This is particularly important for remote Himalayan communities.
Organising events at such altitude involves challenges like:
Hence, coordination among civil and security agencies becomes crucial.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Ladakh |
| Type | Endorheic saltwater lake |
| Altitude | Approx. 4,225 metres |
| Shared Between | India and China |
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Indo-Tibetan Border Police |
| Established | 1962 |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Function | Guarding Indo-China border areas |
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Form | State Disaster Response Force |
| Role | Disaster management and rescue operations |
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Objective | Development of border villages |
| Focus Areas | Infrastructure, tourism, livelihood and connectivity |
Updated – 12 February 2023News Source: NDTV