There are very few places on Earth that test both body and spirit quite like Ladakh. Jagged mountains, thin air, and icy winds create an environment where even standing still can feel like a challenge. Yet, on September 12, 2025, amidst this breathtaking landscape, I took on one of the toughest races in the world, the Khardungla Challenge Ultra Marathon, a 72 km journey that pushed every limit I knew.
Known as the world’s highest ultra marathon, the race began at Khardung village (around 12,335 ft) and ended at Leh Market (11,500 ft), with the punishing climb to Khardungla Top (17,618 ft) standing as its most formidable stretch. With only 14 hours to finish and strict cut-offs along the way, the challenge was not just about endurance, but about grit, focus, and faith in oneself. Nearly 60 km of the route runs above 4,000 metres, where every breath has to be earned.
The Relentless Climb
The race began at 3:00 am under a sky full of stars and silence. The first 32 km, the ascent to Khardungla Top, is known for testing even the most seasoned runners. As the altitude climbed, oxygen thinned; every step grew heavier, and the cold bit deeper.
Despite years of running, from half marathons and full marathons to 50 km and 100 km ultras, I found myself entering a new territory. Just 3 km before reaching the top, exhaustion hit me. My legs ached, my head spun, and for the first time, I felt dangerously close to a DNF (Did Not Finish).
But you just keep moving. One step. Then another. After 6 hours and 30 minutes, I hit Khardungla Top. Standing there, surrounded by snow peaks and prayer flags, I realised victory isn’t about running fast; it’s about refusing to stop.
The Descent and the Sun
From the top, the route thankfully turned mostly downhill toward Leh, but the challenge wasn’t over. That thin air sticks around until South Pullu (14 km down), and every downhill stride punishes already exhausted legs. I hit South Pullu at 9 hours and 6 minutes, feeling completely drained but also intensely alive.
With 25 km to go, my mantra was simple: just keep moving. The sun rose high and fierce, and at that altitude, the intensity is brutal. My shoulders were burning, but I decided to wear those sunburns like badges of honor, it was proof of the battle I was fighting and winning.
The Final Push
I found my rhythm again and locked onto my 13 hour target. Entering Leh Market was electrifying; the crowd’s cheers and the finish line sight powered me with every last ounce of energy. I crossed the line in an astonishing 12:59:49, just 11 seconds under my goal, and a full hour before the official cutoff!
The moment I finished, the fatigue just vanished, it was replaced by pure, electric joy. That finish line wasn’t just 72 km behind me; it was the ultimate feeling of my mind beating that massive mountain.
Since 2016, running has been my path of self-discovery. From half marathons to full, and beyond to the extremes of 50 km and 100 km ultras. Yet, the Khardungla Challenge stands apart.
It’s not just a race, it’s a dialogue between human will and nature’s extremes. It’s a reminder that when the body gives in, the mind can still carry you forward. Crossing that line in Leh wasn’t the end of 72 kilometres, it was a celebration of belief, endurance, and the courage to keep going when everything tells you to stop.
To experience the spirit of this challenge, watch the National Geographic documentary: Watch here
Contributed by Ankit Bhavsar
