Ultra Running Hub Khardung Village, Ladakh, India · Friday, September 11, 2026
Khardung La Challenge (Ladakh Ultramarathon)
Calculated from 72 km alone — the organiser has not published an elevation profile. Read 3.6 as a floor, not a verdict.
What the course asks
DUV results for the 2025 edition (72km) — finishers only. Starters are not published, so the field was at least this big and no finish rate can be given.
Typical conditions, September
Regional 2001-2020 average for September — NASA POWER, grid elevation 4549 m. Not a forecast.
Results history
| Year | Race | Finishers | Men's winner | Women's winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 72km | 209 | Mohd. Ibrahim · 06:38:59 | Namgyal Lhamo · 08:31:47 |
| 2024 | 72km | 234 | Jigmet Namgial · 05:41:36 | Namgyal Lhamo · 09:26:59 |
| 2023 | 72km | 211 | Rigzin Gyurmeth · 06:31:41 | Namgyal Lhamo · 08:12:42 |
| 2022 | 72km | 154 | Nawaz Hussain · 06:47:20 | Namgyal Lhamo · 08:27:39 |
| 2019 | 72km | 120 | Shabbir Hussain · 06:53:34 | Christena Walter · 10:32:44 |
| 2018 | 72km | 115 | Shabbir Hussain · 06:50:38 | Konchok Dolma · 11:11:40 |
| 2017 | 72km | 78 | Shabbir Hussain · 06:23:51 | Shikha Pahwa · 11:05:38 |
| 2016 | 71km | 52 | Tsewang Tokdan · 06:53:36 | Sonam Chuskit · 09:41:20 |
| 2015 | 71km | 58 | Tsewang Tokdan · 06:33:41 | Skalzang Dolma · 10:58:56 |
| 2014 | 71km (Partial) | 3 | Shabbir Hussain · 06:35:00 | — |
The field shrank 11% between 2024 (234) and 2025 (209). 11% of the 2025 field were women.
DUV results for the 2025 edition (72km) — finishers only. Starters are not published, so the field was at least this big and no finish rate can be given.
The Aid Station
Course-specific beta from the community
With trail terrain, choose a shoe with moderate cushioning for optimal performance.
Gear for this race
Chosen for 72 km of trail.
- Trail Running Shoes 72 km of trail — cushioning that is still there in the last quarter.
- Race Nutrition 72 km of self-supported fuelling between aid stations.
- Hydration Vests Flask capacity for 72 km, without the bounce.
- Headlamps A 14 h limit puts you out there after dark.
- GPS Watches Battery life first — a 72 km day outlasts most full-GPS modes.
Overview
The Khardung La Challenge, a 72-kilometer road race, takes participants from Khardung village at 3975 meters of elevation, over the Khardung La pass at 5370 meters, and down to Leh at 3500 meters. With 10 past editions, this 50-mile event has been held since 2014, with the most recent edition in 2025 seeing 209 finishers. The next edition is set for September 11, 2026.
This race has a larger field than 90% of its 655 peer 50-mile races, and its 14-hour time limit means a cutoff pace of 11.7 minutes per kilometer. This time limit is tighter than 41% of 457 comparable 50-mile races. The entry fee is 320 US$.
Similar races
Other 50 mi trail ultras, closest in distance first.