Indian Army to Host First-Ever High-Altitude Spiti Marathon in Himachal Pradesh
The Indian Army will organize the Spiti Marathon 2024, a first-of-its-kind high-altitude marathon, as part of Operation Sadbhavana on September 28-29, 2024. This historic event will take place at the Him Yodha Military Station, Sumdo in Kaza Sub-division, Lahaul-Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh.
The Spiti Marathon aims to highlight the Indian Army’s initiatives in remote areas of Himachal Pradesh, promote local culture, and boost tourism in border areas. The event will showcase the vibrant villages of Spiti Valley, supporting the Government of India’s Vibrant Village Programme. It also encourages physical fitness and mental robustness, fostering stronger bonds with the local population.
This prestigious event is being organized through the collaborative efforts of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department, Himachal Pradesh Police, and the Civil administration of Kaza Subdivision. Thus, the marathon will also serve as a medium for better Civil-Military coordination.
The event offers prize money for more than 36 awards in four different categories of the Marathon:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| 77 Kms Spiti Avenger Challenge | Flag off at 0500h on September 28 from Kaza |
| 42 km Spiti Full Marathon | Flag off at 0700h on September 28 from Him Yodha Military Station, Sumdo |
| 21 kms Spiti Half Marathon | Starting from Him Yodha Military Station, Sumdo |
| 10 km Run for Fun | Flag off at 0700h on September 29 from Sumdo |
The inaugural event is open for the participation of locals as well as runners from across the country. Online registration for the event is open at the link www.spitimarathon.in.
Doubts Revealed
Indian Army -: The Indian Army is the land-based branch of India’s military. They protect the country and help during emergencies.
High-Altitude -: High-altitude means a place that is very high above sea level. It can be harder to breathe there because the air is thinner.
Spiti Marathon -: A marathon is a long-distance running race. The Spiti Marathon is a special race happening in the Spiti Valley, which is a high-altitude area in Himachal Pradesh.
Himachal Pradesh -: Himachal Pradesh is a state in northern India. It is known for its beautiful mountains and cool weather.
Him Yodha Military Station -: This is a military base in Kaza, a town in Himachal Pradesh. Soldiers live and train here.
Kaza -: Kaza is a small town in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh. It is very high up in the mountains.
Civil-Military coordination -: This means working together between the army and regular people. It helps in making the community stronger and safer.
77 km Spiti Avenger Challenge -: This is the longest race in the Spiti Marathon. Participants will run 77 kilometers, which is very far!
42 km Spiti Full Marathon -: This is a full marathon race, which is 42 kilometers long. It’s a big challenge for runners.
21 km Spiti Half Marathon -: This is a half marathon race, which is 21 kilometers long. It’s shorter than a full marathon but still a tough race.
10 km Run for Fun -: This is a shorter race, just 10 kilometers. It’s meant to be fun and easier for more people to join.
Online registration -: This means you can sign up for the marathon using the internet. You don’t have to go anywhere to register.