Now Reading: World’s highest frozen lake marathon returns to Pangong Tso in Feb 2027
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World’s highest frozen lake marathon returns to Pangong Tso in Feb 2027
The Story in Brief
The world's highest frozen lake marathon will be held on the frozen surface of Pangong Tso on February 24 and 25, 2027, with registrations now open. Organised by the Adventure Sports Foundation of Ladakh, the event includes a full marathon (42.195 km), a half marathon (21.9 km) and a 5 km Run for Fun. The full marathon and the Pangong Ice Ultra will take place on February 24, while the half marathon and 5 km run are on February 25.
The first edition on February 20, 2023 set a Guinness World Record as the highest-altitude frozen lake marathon at 4,273 metres. The 2027 edition is themed 'The Last Run', reflecting concern over melting Himalayan glaciers. Organisers fear the lake may stop freezing in the future because of global warming. The event has the support of the UT Administration of Ladakh, LAHDC Leh, the Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
Runners must be above 18 for the full and half marathons and must have past high-altitude running experience. All routes will be marked with flags, with the finish line at Maan village. Safety measures include energy stations every 4 km, first aid points and heated changing rooms. The 2026 edition drew 460 runners from 21 Indian states and several countries.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The marathon’s return is a push for winter tourism in Ladakh, a season that draws few visitors. The 'Last Run' theme directly ties the event to climate anxiety: organisers note the lake froze fully only in February 2026, weeks later than usual. That delay, alongside a stated fear that the lake may stop freezing, makes each edition potentially precarious. The race’s growth, from a Guinness-record first edition to 460 runners in 2026, shows rising interest, but its long-term viability rests on winter temperatures staying low enough for the ice to hold a marathon. The next edition will test whether that window is still open.
Source: timesnownews.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
