PUMA India on the run
PUMA India Shines at the 11th Ladakh Marathon
September 17, 2024PUMA India Shines at the 11th Ladakh Marathon
September 17, 2024The 11th edition of the Ladakh Marathon, renowned as one of the most challenging and high-altitude marathons in the world, took place on September 7th, 2024. This year, PUMA India not only took part but also made a significant impact as the official sportswear partner, equipping the runners with specialized Sporting Gear and vibrant Race Day Tees.
Among the enthusiastic participants were several PUMA India employees, including our very own Managing Director, Karthik Balagopalan, who completed the 5K Run.
A special shoutout goes as well to Mudassar Khan, who completed the full marathon, showcasing incredible endurance and determination. Additionally, a few other PUMA India employees took on the half-marathon, proving that our team is as strong on the track as we are in the office. The runners from PUMA maintained a full-fledged fitness routine, including strength and endurance training, and adhered to a healthy and nutritious diet, avoiding junk food.
Insights from Mudassar Khan, the PUMA India employee who completed the full marathon.
In 2022, Mudassar completed his first full marathon in Ladakh in 5 hours and 55 minutes. This year, he aimed to surpass his previous record and successfully did so by finishing the marathon in 5 hours and 41 minutes. The weather was quite cool on the day of the marathon; however, the last 3 km were especially challenging due to the high elevation. His belief in being “Forever. Faster.” helped him surpass his own record. The high elevation in Ladakh can lead to altitude sickness and lower oxygen levels, making breathing and performance more difficult. The marathon course features steep inclines, uneven terrain, and high-altitude passes, making it physically demanding. To prepare for it, Mudassar trained in high elevations, cycled hills, and ran another full marathon two weeks prior.
Elevating the Marathon Experience
PUMA India’s involvement didn’t stop at participation. As the official sportswear partner, we provided high-quality performance gear and Race Day Tees to all runners. Karthik Balagopalan, Managing Director, PUMA India, shared his excitement, saying:
“Running is one of the fastest growing sports globally and India’s vibrant running community exemplifies this trend. As a brand, PUMA is heavily invested in running as a sport and as the running culture has its web spread around the world, we at PUMA are committed to help make India one of the epicentres in the long run. Ladakh Marathon is an exceptional terrain, and we are extremely excited to provide the participating runners with high-quality performance gear and race day tees, as the official sportswear partner. This marathon set amidst the majestic mountains is bound to be a memorable experience for the collective, and we are confident that PUMA’s association will elevate every mile to the top.”
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A Marathon to Remember
The Ladakh Marathon is not just a race; it’s an adventure through some of the most breathtaking and demanding terrains. This year’s event saw 6,218 runners from around the globe, competing in various categories, including the grueling Silk Route Ultra and the Khardungla Challenge.
It’s truly heartening to witness the evolution of the Ladakh Marathon into a vibrant festival over the years. Participants are returning annually, starting their LM journey with the 11.2km and 21km races, progressing to the full marathon, and ultimately conquering the Khardungla Challenge. They come with family and friends, exploring the beauty that is Ladakh. This has been a great help and a big boost to the tourism industry with the revenues filtering into local businesses like hotels, guest houses, homestays, restaurants, transport services, souvenir shops, etc. Most importantly, the Ladakh Marathon’s fostering of local youth talent. We are proud that in this short span of 10 years, Ladakhi runners have risen to become some of India’s elite athletes. Notably, Jigmet Dolma has represented India internationally, and many promising upcoming talented young runners are securing podium finishes at various marathons across the country.
