Indian Army Hosts First High-Altitude Marathon in Spiti Valley
The Indian Army successfully conducted the first-ever High Altitude Marathon in Himachal Pradesh’s Spiti District on September 28-29, 2024. The event saw over 640 participants from across the country.
Event Details
The marathon, held under Operation Sadbhavana, featured four categories. Jigmet Namgyal of Ladakh Police won the 77 km Spiti Avengers Challenge men’s category, while Tenzin Dolma secured first place in the female category. Honrary Captain (Retd) Suresh of the Indian Army won the 40+ age group.
Winners
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 42 km Full Marathon (Men) | Naik Het Ram (Indian Army) |
| 42 km Full Marathon (Women) | Disket Dolma |
| Half Marathon (Men) | Testan Namgyal (Indian Army) |
| Half Marathon (Women) | Tashi Ladol |
| Veteran Category (Men) | Naib Subedar Shyam Singh (Indian Army) |
| Veteran Category (Women) | Rakhee Rai |
| 10 km Race (Men) | Sonam Stanzin (Indian Army) |
| 10 km Race (Women) | Sonam Zangpo |
Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, GOC-in-C Surya Command, felicitated the winners and praised all participants for their spirit and resilience.
Objectives
The Spiti Marathon aims to highlight the Indian Army’s initiatives in remote areas, promote local culture, and boost tourism in border areas. It also supports the Government of India’s Vibrant Village Programme, encouraging physical fitness and mental robustness while fostering stronger bonds with the local population.
Doubts Revealed
Indian Army -: The Indian Army is the land-based branch of the Indian Armed Forces. They protect our country and help during emergencies.
High Altitude Marathon -: A High Altitude Marathon is a long-distance running race that takes place in areas with high elevation, like mountains. It is harder to run because the air is thinner.
Spiti Valley -: Spiti Valley is a cold desert mountain valley located in the Himalayas in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is known for its beautiful landscapes and monasteries.
Himachal Pradesh -: Himachal Pradesh is a state in northern India. It is famous for its scenic mountains and hill stations.
Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta -: Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta is a high-ranking officer in the Indian Army. He praised the participants of the marathon.
Vibrant Village Programme -: The Vibrant Village Programme is an initiative by the Government of India to develop and improve villages, making them more lively and prosperous.