Travel+Leisure India & South Asia gets in touch with ice hockey player Chamba Tsetan, who talks about setting the Guinness World Record for organising the world’s highest frozen lake half-marathon with The Last Run in Ladakh, all while keeping it clean and green.
Excerpts from the interview with Chamba Tsetan:
T+L India: How did the frozen lake half-marathon come into being?
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Chamba Tsetan: While brainstorming ideas to promote winter tourism in Ladakh, I caught a glimpse of the Antarctica marathon and I thought, “Why don’t we do it here, in Pangong?” As someone who loves adventure sports, including ice hockey and trekking, I was immediately excited about the idea. I, along with a group of like-minded individuals, decided to organise a marathon on the frozen lake of Pangong. The Adventure Sports Foundation of Ladakh (ASFL); the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh; and the Tourism Department of Ladakh collaborated to make the event a reality. We were determined to keep the event exclusive and took on a limited number of participants to maintain the charm of the experience. But this marathon was more than just a race. It was an opportunity to send a message and raise awareness about the melting ice glaciers and the fragile state of the Himalayan glaciers due to global warming. As someone who cares about the environment and has witnessed the diminishing of ice through my passion for ice hockey, the event held a personal significance for me.
T+L India: What were some of the unique challenges of organising a marathon on a frozen lake at such a high altitude?
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Chamba Tsetan: Firstly, the altitude itself was a challenge for runners who are not accustomed to running at such heights. This can make it difficult for runners from low-altitude areas, such as Mumbai or Bengal, to adjust to the high altitude in Ladakh. Another major concern was the safety of our runners. We took extra precautions to ensure that our runners don’t slip and fall into the lake, which can be dangerous. So, we conducted proper recce and ice strength checks, and we marked the entire trail on the lake to minimise any risk. Additionally, we provided ice cleats to runners to prevent any slips and falls on the ice.
T+L India: How has the response been from participants and the local community towards the event?
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Chamba Tsetan: The marathon on the frozen lake was a huge success and participants loved it! They finished as a team and were excited about the next event. The exclusive nature of the marathon made it special for everyone, and their concern for climate change and melting glaciers made them ambassadors of the sustainable tourism movement. The marathon helped us open homestays for the runners, making the village more beautiful for everyone. Next year, we plan to include more events. The marathon was a collective effort that involved the local community, runners, the ITBP, the Indian army, the medical department, and the border road organisation. It was great to see everyone come together to create a proper action plan to make this event possible.
T+L India: Can you tell us about the safety measures that have been put in place for the event, especially considering the extreme weather conditions?
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Chamba Tsetan: One year prior to the marathon, we conducted a strength test to ensure the safety of our participants. Our research confirmed that the ice was strong enough to hold even a house on top of the lake! We also had energy stations — stocked with electrolytes, energy bars, and other essentials — set up every five kilometres. A medical department was on standby to provide immediate attention to anyone in need. Emergency services like oxygen and air evacuation were readily available at each station. Furthermore, we had a team of experienced rescuers stationed at every station, with one on a bicycle patrolling between stations and the other positioned at the station. These rescuers were trained in ice trekking and ice climbing, and we collaborated with two different rescue groups, the Ladakh Mountain Guides Association and the local police department rescue team. With everyone working together beautifully, we ensured the safety and well-being of our participants throughout the marathon.
T+L India: What kind of training and preparation did the participants go through?
Chamba Tsetan: Our aim was to make the event inclusive, where selected members would participate in the marathon while others could play on the ice. We were very particular about the selection criteria for the marathon participants. We only chose those who had completed a full marathon in the last five-six months. After the selection, their training and readiness began, starting with acclimatising to the climate a week before the marathon in Leh, followed by two days of acclimatisation at Pangong. Before leaving Leh, they had to undergo a medical check-up by the health department, and another check-up before the run.
Meticulous planning and exercise was essential before the runners could start their marathon. We even kept a day for the runners to get comfortable with running on ice, known as the trial run. Although we had many runners on board, most of them had not run on ice before, and walking on ice was entirely a new experience for them.
T+L India: Can you share any experience from the marathon that stands out in your memory?
Chamba Tsetan: One of the moments that stands out the most is the overwhelming response we received for the marathon. We limited the selection to 75 participants, but we had countless registrations pouring in. It was amusing and heartening to see so many people excited about this event. I recall two army colonels who came to witness the marathon but weren’t selected. Despite that, they were so eager and enthusiastic that they ended up completing the run with the participants and walked back to the camp! It was such a joy to see their unwavering zeal and spirit. Their passion for the event truly left a mark on me.
T+L India: What role do you see the frozen-lake marathon playing in promoting Ladakh as a destination for adventure sports tourism?
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Chamba Tsetan: Through the event, we aim to promote sustainability by encouraging the use of local homestays and the consumption of local food and beverages. We also promote the use of non-mineral drinking water, which is essential for the sustainability of the region. By highlighting these aspects of Ladakh, we hope to attract adventure enthusiasts who are interested in exploring the natural beauty of the region while respecting and supporting its local communities.
T+L India: How did you ensure that the event was conducted in an environmentally sustainable manner?
Chamba Tsetan: As an organiser, we placed a lot of emphasis on making the frozen-lake marathon a green event. We collaborated with local businesses and promoted the use of local energy bars, which not only helped to support the local economy but also reduced the carbon footprint of the event. Instead of having the runners come in their own cars, we provided them with a bus to reach the destination, which further reduced the carbon emissions. To prevent littering, we did not promote the usage of water bottles at the energy stations. We made sure that the area around the lake was not littered. We placed 20 to 30 dustbins instead of flags as markers along the trail, so that runners could dispose of any small waste they generated responsibly. We also ensured that the marathon was conducted in a way that did not harm the local environment or wildlife. We wanted people who are serious, concerned and committed towards the environment and climate change to be a part of the even; those who would set an example of responsible and sustainable tourism.
T+L India: Can you tell us about any future adventure sports events that you have in the pipeline?
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Chamba Tsetan: We are very excited about our upcoming plans for adventure sports events in Ladakh. One of the events that we are targeting next is mountain biking, which we believe would be a great way to promote sustainable and eco-friendly tourism in the region. Cycling could also become a mode of transportation in Ladakh, and it’s a great way to stay fit and healthy.
Another event that we are planning is a full-moon run, which will be held under the mesmerising Ladakhi night sky. This event is particularly special to us as it is a tribute to Major Shaitan Singh, who was martyred in the Battle of Rezang La in November 1962. The Indian Army was ambushed by Chinese soldiers at 3:30 a.m., so we will start the run at the same time in honor of his sacrifice.
T+L India: Can you tell us about the local cuisine and food experiences that visitors can enjoy while visiting Ladakh?
Chamba Tsetan: When it comes to food in Ladakh, I highly recommend trying the local Ladakhi dishes. While you can find all sorts of cuisines here, there’s something special about the homemade dishes. Two such dishes that you must try are Thukpa and Momos. The taste is even more authentic when you try it at a homestay instead of a restaurant– the simplest food like daal rice and vegetables made at a homestay is incredibly delicious. It is less spicy, less oily, and healthier.
T+L India: What are your bucket list destinations?
Chamba Tsetan: Canada is definitely on my bucket list as I want to experience playing ball hockey there and witness how everyone plays it in the streets. Norway is also on my list as I want to explore the mountain ranges and engage in various adventure activities there. I want to do the silk route trip and for mountain biking, I have my eyes set on Nepal and Patagonia in Argentina, both of which are known for their beautiful landscapes and challenging terrain and I’m hoping to cross them off my list soon.
Featured and Hero image courtesy: ASFL Ladakh/Instagram
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