Snow Marathon Lahaul is being organised in India for the first time ever with participation of nearly 100 runners from across the nation who will be running on snow covered terrains of Himachal’s Lahaul valley on March 26. The event is being organised in association of Lahaul-Spiti administration, Reach India and a group of adventure sports enthusiasts from different parts of the country. Runners from other countries are not participating this season due to travel restrictions. Besides Indian armed forces, marathoners from many states are taking part in the Snow Marathon Lahaul. As Lahaul-Spiti administration has announced to make it an annual event that will be held every year in winter season, runners from other nations will also be allowed from next year onwards. Lahaul has been chosen for this extreme winter sports event as the valley remains covered with snow for most time of the year. Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner Neeraj Kumar chaired a meeting at Solang valley to discuss the event on Saturday. Chief event advisor Col Arun Natrajan, event founder Gaurav Schimar, event execution head Rajesh Chand, Army’s Palchan transit camp commanding officer and seasoned marathon runner Col Santosh Barmola briefed in detail about the Snow Marathon Lahaul which is expected to change the definition of extreme marathon in the country. Rajesh Chand said the snow marathon will be organised in five categories – full marathon (42km), half marathon (21km), 10km, 5km and 1km (joy race). “The marathon is being organised under the leadership of Winter Sports Federation of India president Col Jodh Dhillon. Lt Col Bhuven Khare, a well-known outdoor and winter sports exert is also part of organising committee while ultrarunner Kieren D’Souza is the brand ambassador. The event will be held in Sissu area and the marathon will have altitude gain as well which will
Snow Marathon Lahaul is being organised in India for the first time ever with participation of nearly 100 runners from across the nation who will be running on snow covered terrains of Himachal’s Lahaul valley on March 26. The event is being organised in association of Lahaul-Spiti administration, Reach India and a group of adventure
Ultramarathon runner Kieren D’souza has set a new record by running across two mountain passes with altitude more than 13,000ft, covering total distance of 126km in less than 19 hours. The trained mountaineers and trekkers otherwise take 6 to 10 days to cover the same route. This ultra-running starting and ending at Manali involved traversing Hamta pass (14,000ft) and Rohtang pass (13,050ft) held under observation of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS) on September 5 midnight. This run was given a name “triple trouble run” for its three hurdles Manali to Hamta pass, Hamta pass to Rohtang pass and Rohtang pass to Manali. Kieren didn’t stop until he completes the whole run at about 7pm in Manali. Manali-Hamta pass-Chhatru is a popular trekking route among India and foreigner trekkers. Hamta Pass trekking is completed in four days. Kieren completed this stretch in just a few hours. Chhatru to Rohtang and then Rohtang to Manali stretch was also completed in just few hours. Trekkers generally take a minimum of nine to 10 days to complete this circuit but Kieren D'souza completed it in 19 hours. ABVIMAS director Col Neeraj Rana said the race held under the close watch of two observers from the institute. “Kieren has completed the race in 18 hours 55 minutes. Nobody has done this before,” Kieren D'souza said. Before this, Kieren D'souza accomplished almost impossible task of climbing 17,300ft high Mt Friendship peak in just one day in June. He started running from Manali, reached Beas Kund, the base of the peak, successfully climbed the snow-laden peak, climbed down, and ran back to Manali in just 12 hours. Trained mountaineers take days in planning and then at least five days to climb it. Kieren D'souza hails from Nagpur but lives in Manali. He
Ultramarathon runner Kieren D’souza has set a new record by running across two mountain passes with altitude more than 13,000ft, covering total distance of 126km in less than 19 hours. The trained mountaineers and trekkers otherwise take 6 to 10 days to cover the same route. This ultra-running starting and ending at Manali involved traversing