Pangong Ice Ultra (55 KM)
Date of Event: 24th Feb, 2025
Pangong Ice Ultra is the ultimate footrace on the frozen surface of the Third Pole. The 2025 event marks the first ultra and rally race on frozen Pangong Lake, offering participants a chance to tackle a 55 km solo or join a team for a 24-hour challenge. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Himalayas at 4,274 meters, this race tests more than endurance with icy conditions and temperatures averaging -10°C. On February 24, 2025, 20 of the world’s top runners will circle 40% of the Indian side of the lake, making history. Conquer this unparalleled ultra marathon and join an elite group of athletes who’ve completed the world’s highest frozen lake marathon.
Conquer the Cold, Register Now!
Race Fees
Rs. 1,15,000
The participation fee would be Rs 1,15,000 for a single registration. Competitors will receive shared accommodation, a t-shirt, a medal, certificates, and high quality photographs
Rs. 50000
The participation fee would be Rs 55,000 for rally registration. Competitors will receive shared accommodation, a t-shirt, a medal, certificates, and high-quality photographs
Clothing and Equipments
Proper clothing is crucial for the Pangong Frozen Lake Marathon, as it ensures safety and performance in the extreme sub-zero temperatures. Without the right gear, participants risk exposure to harsh winds and freezing conditions, which can severely impact their ability to finish the race.
- Head torches
- Thermal
- Running shoes and a spare boots
- Hats
- gloves
- Woolen socks
- Jackets
- List Item
- Ice Cleats
Precautions
- Runners from outside acclimatized for one week before the run, they will have a practice run on Khardung la and one on frozen pangong lake with the ice cleats a day before the run on their last of acclimatization at Pangong lake. Runners have to pass two medical tests before they take on the adventure
- The entire trail was marked with flags of all the supporters in the event, before that entire route was marked and tested for the strength of the ice as well. Our safety team Ladakh Mountain Guide Association and SDRF team will carry out the job one week prior to the event as done in the last event.
- We will set up Energy stations each with a medical team equipped with oxygen and ambulances. At each 5Km we will have an energy station, we have a rescue team on stand too. We had two of our bicycles running along the 5km, in total 20 bicycles were in place for the safety of the runners. Each energy station is equipped with electrolytes and an energy bar for the runners.
Routes, Energy and Changing space
- The whole of the running routes will be marked with flags and marking points. The run will happen on the frozen pangong lake, where the finishing line is Maan village for all 3 Categories of run. There will be an energy station every 4 kilometers along with a medical first aid facility and ambulances. Changing rooms for both genders equipped with heaters will be installed at the finish line of the marathon.
- Sustainable marking points, all our water points will serve lukewarm water sourced from the stream at Pangong valley.
Locally sourced energy bars and drinks will be served.
Trail markers will serve as dust bin for collecting whatever amount of garbage is produced from runners
Medical Support
- ASFL organizes this event with full support from the UT Administration of Ladakh, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development council Leh, Indian Army and Indo Tibetan Border Police Medical team ambulances equipped with highly experienced Doctors.
Accommodations
- We aim to promote sustainable winter tourism on the pangong belt, interestingly the way of living has changed drastically in the region due to seasonal tourism. People have now completely given up upon their ancestral way of earning livelihood which is pastoralism, people have hugely depended on seasonal tourism, we attempt to promote sustainable winter tourism in the region. We would look at the 100 runners who occupied these homestays as our ambassador of sustainable winter tourism as they lived with local families consuming the resources they consume with zero waste generation in the process.
- In the run 2023, we were able to mobilize 60 homestay and keep them open in the winter months. This year we are aiming to keep 70 to 80 open in the winter months. This is truly to keep villages on the border alive and livable for people living in the region through sustainable livelihoods opportunities.
Runners Benefits
- Medals, Hoodies/Jacket, Certificates,ASFL bottles, BIBs, Certificates.
A gala dinner is organized with traditional dances and songs making the whole event a memory of a lifetime for each runner. (This is for runners traveling into Ladakh for the run)
Competitors will receive high quality photographs.