Srinagar, Mar11: Mnaali, The Snow Marathon, which has the distinction for being the highest marathon witnessed the dominance of the Indian Army at its third edition. Shabir Hussain of Ladakh Scouts won the 42 km – full marathon title at the picturesque snowclad mountains of Jana falls near Manali. The reigning champion Tenzin Dolma from Manali ruled the women’s category.
Due to the recent avalanches in Lahaul, the annual event of Snow Marathon could not be held at Sissu (situated at 10,000 feet in district Lahaul &Spiti) as blocked roads enrouting to the venue posed challenges to organizers. Hence this edition was shifted to the snowy hills of Jana Falls.
This edition was organised by Reach India and Himachal Tourism Department wherein more than 200 runners from India and abroad exhibited their dominance in four categories. Runners from Russia, US, UK and Sri Lanka also marked their presence in the event.
Indian Army’s Tsewang Nangdan won the half marathon while Hemlata emerged as the champion in women’s category. JigmetStubden, again from the Indian Army, won the ten-kilometre category while Sakshi stood first in the women’s category. Armaan Thakur won in the five-kilometer race.
Organizer Rajiv Kumar expressed his satisfaction over its staging and said Snow Marathon has truly made a mark in the Indian adventure sports calendar in a very short span of time. More than 200 marathoners from across the country and abroad are an indicator of the fact that every runner wants to experience the snow marathon in the snow-clad trails of Lahaul.
The event was well supported by Fortis Hospital, Campus Shoes, Polaroid, Fast&Up, Red Bull and Young gear Watches.
