Shillong, Sep 15: Okitlang Syiemlieh finished ninth in the 72km ultra marathon that was held as part of the Ladakh Marathon 2025.
Known as the Khardung La Challenge, the gruelling ultra marathon takes runners to 17,618 feet above sea level, making it, as the organisers say, the world’s highest marathon.
Okitlang finished with a time of 7 hours, 41 minutes and 36 seconds, according to the race’s official timing website.
Runners have to get to Ladakh well in advance of the race, with acclimitisation to the thin air absolutely necessary in order to take part. The various races that make up the Ladakh Marathon are held over several days, with the ultra marathon being held on Friday.
Okitlang works in the Meghalaya Police and has found much success in ultra marathons. Earlier this year he was the winner of the Tsomgo Ultra Marathon 4.0 in Sikkim.
He was second in the 72km Mawkyrwat Ultra in 2018 and won the 100km race at the same event the following year. He has also represented Meghalaya at such events like the National Cross Country Championship in 2022 and the Run for the Rhino 62km ultra marathon in Assam in December last year, which he won.
Another Meghalayan has had wonderful success in Ladakh – Rephica Becky Pde. She ran in the 2018 and 2019 events, finishing both the ultra marathon and 42km marathon both years, claiming podium finishes every time.
(Photo contributed)