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."
Score Breakdown
Based on distance, vertical gain per km, terrain difficulty, weather extremes, historical DNF rate, and race format.
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.
Experience ratings are based on runner reports, race reviews, community feedback, and editorial assessment. Scenery reflects the visual quality of the course. Organization covers aid stations, logistics, and communication. Community measures the atmosphere, inclusivity, and camaraderie among runners.
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
15%
15
80%
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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