TryGOLD- Free

First frozen lake marathon in India aims to flag climate change perils
The Straits Times|February 19, 2023
Ladakh event, held at altitude of 4,350m, will highlight vulnerability of fragile region
- Debarshi Dasgupta
First frozen lake marathon in India aims to flag climate change perils

NEW DELHI - It is the first-of-its-kind marathon in India. Yet, when runners cover the 21.9km stretch across the frozen Pangong Lake at an altitude of nearly 4,350m in Ladakh, they will be participating in what has been billed as "the last run".

The Pangong Frozen Lake Marathon, which takes place on Feb 20, aims to highlight the growing vulnerability of the ecologically fragile mountainous region in north India.

A key concern is climate change, = which has hastened the melting pace of Himalayan and Karakoram glaciers, rendering the future of locals who depend on its waters at great risk.

"It is this alarming message that we are trying to get across that this could be the last run," said Mr Chamba Tsetan, founder of the Adventure Sports Foundation of Ladakh. It is organising the marathon in collaboration with the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) in Leh district and other local authorities.

Seventy-five runners, including those from India, France, the United States and Britain, will take part in this race that the organisers hope will also secure them an entry in the Guinness World Records for the highest frozen lake marathon.

There are running races in other icy locales, such as the North Pole Marathon, held at sea level, and the Antarctic Ice Marathon, at 700m.

This story is from the February 19, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the February 19, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE STRAITS TIMESView All
Torque Shop
The Straits Times

Torque Shop

How are the lights on the current generation of cars different from what they used to be? Is it possible to upgrade the lights of a classic car to the latest technology?

time-read
2 mins  |
February 15, 2025
The Straits Times

More Hollywood female leads, but fewer people of colour: Report

Out of the top 100 movies of 2024, more than half featured a story centred on an actress as a lead or co-lead, the first time representation has been above the United States census, where girls and women comprise 50.5 per cent of the population, a 2025 report from the University of Southern California (USC) found.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 15, 2025
The Straits Times

No Woman in Top-100 Earners Led by Ronaldo

Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo again topped the list of the world's highest-paid athletes with total income of US$260 million (S$349 million) in 2024, according to sports industry news website Sportico, but there was no woman in the top 100.

time-read
1 min  |
February 15, 2025
City Became Worse as Others Improved: Pep
The Straits Times

City Became Worse as Others Improved: Pep

Disappointing Decline

time-read
2 mins  |
February 15, 2025
Reid Steps Up For Minnesota
The Straits Times

Reid Steps Up For Minnesota

Timberwolves stun high-flying Thunder despite absence of star centre Gobert

time-read
2 mins  |
February 15, 2025
Group of state attorneys-general sues to clip Musk's authority
The Straits Times

Group of state attorneys-general sues to clip Musk's authority

A group of state attorneys-general on Feb 13 sued to halt Mr Elon Musk's efforts to slash federal spending as head of President Donald Trump's new government efficiency agency, escalating the legal fight over the billionaire's influence in the White House.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 15, 2025
Parents of K-pop girl group NJZ speak up on Hanni's visa status
The Straits Times

Parents of K-pop girl group NJZ speak up on Hanni's visa status

The parents of NJZ, formerly known as NewJeans, said the K-pop girl group's Vietnamese-Australian member Hanni had obtained a new visa, amid speculation that she was staying in South Korea illegally.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 15, 2025
The Straits Times

Norris vows to be smarter in bid to dethrone Verstappen

Lando Norris has warned Max Verstappen that he will get his \"elbows out\" as the McLaren driver fights to dethrone the Formula One world champion.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 15, 2025
The Straits Times

Vietnam looks to placate Trump by vowing to open market to US goods

Vietnam says it has no intention of imposing measures that \"create burdens or restrict trade\" with the US, and is \"ready to open its market, increasing imports of US agricultural products\", as it seeks to stave off US President Donald Trump's tariff threats.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 15, 2025
The Straits Times

6 Dead in Fire at Hotel Construction Site in Busan

At least six people died and 25 were injured after a fire broke out at a hotel construction site in South Korea's southern port city of Busan on Feb 14.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 15, 2025

We use cookies to provide and improve our services. By using our site, you consent to cookies. Learn more