Zamwar runs back to back Khardunglaand Ladakh half marathons

 

 

ULTRA marathon runner Sudesh Zamwar successfully completed the Khardungla Challenge and Ladakh half marathons in two consecutive days to create a sort of record.

The Khardungla Challenge, the highest ultra marathon in the world, covers a distance of 72 kms and for more than 60 kms, athletes have to run at an altitude above 4000m. Number of runners is restricted to a maximum of 150 for this race. “The final cut-off timing in Khardung La Challenge was 14 hours, with three phases of cut-off timings during the race. So I prepared for the ‘Khardung La 2022 edition’ with my 12 hours Stadium Run.

“I travelled from Nagpur to Leh 10 days prior to the race to get accalatised. The temperature variation from the Khardung village to the finish line at Leh was from -8 to +28 degrees celsius. The race started at 3:00 am at an altitude of 14378 feet, up to North Pullu which was at 16000 feet,” he said.

“I am now officially a finisher of the highest Ultra-marathon in the world and my timing was 12 hours 20 minutes. The day after the ‘KC 72’, I did a recovery run of 21 kms at Ladhak Marathon and completed that also,” he said.

Sudesh thanked his family, running friends and well-wishers encouraging and motivating him. He is one of the founding pillars of Nagpur Runners and Riders.