Leh (JK), Aug 17: A Ladakhi athlete outsmarted a field of 250 professional and amateur marathon runners from six countries to win the inaugural Great Tibetan Marathon here organised by International Union of Runners, an association promoting tourism in the region. Sonam Angdus yesterday covered the 42-km stretch run at an high altitude leaving behind Danish athlete Karlston and Australian Marmari Walton at second and third places respectively.
Athletes from Germany, France and Switzerland also took part in the Great Tibetan Marathon, which was initiated by a non-resident Kashmiri living in Copenhagen. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed described the event as historic and hoped it would go a long way in promoting tourism in the region.
Sayeed commended the stamina and endurance of the athletes who ran the 42 km stretch at a high altitude place like Leh. He said it was only because of the adventurous spirit and commitment to promote tourism in the Himalayan region that the runners had come from different countries to participate in the event. Bureau Report