La Ultra - The High is a 111km ultra marathon in Leh, India. Distance: 111km. Elevation: 5,000m D+. Difficulty: brutal (Challenge Rating 56/100). DNF rate: 35%. Time limit: 36h. Surface: mixed. Established 2010.
La Ultra - The High
Leh, Ladakh, India
"111km across the Himalayas. Cross Khardung La at 5,400m — one of the highest races on Earth."
One of the highest races on the planet — 111km crossing Khardung La in the Indian Himalayas at 5,400m.
The Course
An extreme high-altitude race in the Indian Himalayas crossing Khardung La (5,359m), one of the highest motorable passes in the world. The course runs through the Ladakh valley on a mix of mountain roads and high-altitude trails. Altitude is the primary challenge.
mountainous
point-to-point
6
5,416m
Runner Experience
Remote course with widely spaced aid points. Runners should be prepared for long unsupported stretches.
Intimate finish in a remote setting. The camaraderie of shared hardship creates deep bonds between finishers.
Race Day Weather
8°C
-5° – 20°
25%
15%
Ladakh summer — dry and sunny at altitude. Very cold at the pass. Intense UV radiation. Thin air.
Stats & Records
2010
20
24:00:00
Entry
INR 40,000
January
months
Lore & Trivia
The Ladakh Ultra runs through the mountains of Indian-administered Kashmir — a landscape of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, 5,000m passes, and valleys so remote that roads close for six months each year. The race crosses some of the highest inhabited terrain on earth: Changthang nomads herd pashmina goats at elevations where most Westerners can barely walk. The altitude is crushing — the course never drops below 3,500m and crosses passes above 5,300m. Ladakh's nickname is "Little Tibet," and the cultural immersion — prayer flags, gompa monasteries, butter tea offered by monks — makes this as much a pilgrimage as a race.
- ▸ Runs through Ladakh in the Indian Himalaya.
- ▸ Course never drops below 3,500m — extreme high-altitude racing.
- ▸ Crosses passes above 5,300m.
- ▸ Ladakh is known as "Little Tibet" — Tibetan Buddhist culture throughout.
- ▸ Changthang nomads herd pashmina goats along the route.
- ▸ Roads to Ladakh close for 6 months each winter.
- ▸ One of the highest ultra marathons in the world.
- ▸ Prayer flags mark the high passes — runners add their own.
At 5,300 metres you learn a new kind of running. It's called walking. And you're grateful for it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is La Ultra - The High? +
La Ultra - The High is a 111km (111km) ultra marathon with 5,000m of elevation gain. The course is point-to-point on mixed terrain.
How hard is La Ultra - The High? +
La Ultra - The High is rated brutal with a Challenge Rating of 56/100 (Challenging). The DNF rate is 35%. Runners have 36 hours to finish.
How do I enter La Ultra - The High? +
Significant high-altitude and ultra running experience required. Medical clearance mandatory.. Entry costs INR 40,000. with a maximum of 30 starters.
What is the weather like at La Ultra - The High? +
Average temperature is 8°C (range -5°C to 20°C) with 25% humidity and a 15% chance of rain. Ladakh summer — dry and sunny at altitude. Very cold at the pass. Intense UV radiation. Thin air.
Are crew and pacers allowed at La Ultra - The High? +
Crew access is allowed. Pacers are allowed. Mandatory gear is required.
What is the average finish time for La Ultra - The High? +
The average finish time is 24:00:00. About 20 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 35%.
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