The Ladakh Umlingla Challenge 2026 — the world’s highest-altitude ultra marathon — has been officially announced and is scheduled to take place on 10 July 2026. The event aims to strengthen border tourism, highlight Ladakh’s breathtaking landscapes, and offer runners a once-in-a-lifetime experience at nearly 19,000 feet (5,900 m).

Registrations open on 16 December 2025: https://ladakhumlinglachallenge.sarmang.com/

Organised by the Sarmang Society and Sarmang Adventure Tours, the race will be hosted at Umling La Pass, one of India’s most remarkable strategic and engineering accomplishments under BRO’s Project Himank. The pass has gained global attention for its extreme altitude and proximity to India’s forward areas, standing as a symbol of national pride and high-altitude endurance.

The Ladakh Umlingla Challenge serves as a unique platform showcasing the region’s significance in India’s border tourism narrative. The race route passes through remote Ladakhi villages, the vast Changthang plateau, and the rugged terrain that characterises India’s frontier landscape.

Race Director and Secretary of Sarmang Society, Anil Mohan, stated:
“Umling La is a gift to India and the world. Through this event, our goal is to bring Ladakh’s border villages, its culture, its harsh yet stunning beauty, and its unmatched altitude challenges to the global running community. Every participant becomes an ambassador of Ladakh’s frontier tourism.”

The event promotes responsible and sustainable tourism, encouraging athletes and adventure seekers to explore Ladakh beyond its commercial hotspots.

With race categories of 70K, 50K, 42K, 21K, and 10K, the Ladakh Umlingla Challenge offers participants the rare opportunity to run in oxygen levels nearly 50% lower than at sea level. The thin air, towering mountains, and silent valleys create an immersive, unmatched experience.

Participants will traverse some of Ladakh’s most striking landscapes — vast high-altitude deserts, distant snow-covered peaks, remote settlements, and unique wildlife habitats.

The event is also expected to benefit local communities, including homestay owners, guides, transport operators, artisans, and cultural groups, thereby supporting the local economy while respecting Ladakh’s fragile environment.

Ladakh has steadily established itself as a premier destination for adventure tourism. The Ladakh Umlingla Challenge further elevates this reputation, making the region a global hotspot for ultra runners, mountaineers, and explorers seeking to push their physical and mental boundaries.

The 2026 edition is expected to attract participants from across India and around the world, placing Umling La among the world’s most iconic high-altitude racing destinations.