India's first snow marathon kicks off in Himachal's Lahaul with 100 participants
India Today
A total of 100 people participated in India's first snow marathon, organised by Lahaul and Spiti administration with Reach India.
Early on Saturday morning, 100 people participated in India's first snow marathon, braving sub-zero temperatures and the height of ten thousand feet.
The Lahaul and Spiti administration, along with Reach India, organised a Snow Marathon with the dual purpose of boosting adventure tourism and attracting tourists to the distant region.
The participants came from all across the country, especially women showing up in huge numbers.
The youngest contestant was two-year-old Sabirat, who ran alongside her parents, Gurpreet (mother) and Harmandir Jyot.
The event saw huge participation from the Indian Army as well. Before the event started, Col Saurabh Shiwar said he was excited about running the first snow marathon. "We have been preparing for the marathon for some time now," the officer said.
Snow Marathon majorly had four categories: a full marathon, in which participants would have to run 42 kilometres, besides three varieties of half marathons (21 km, 10 km and 5 km). There was also a one-km run to encourage the newbies.
Col Arun Natarajan, Chief Advisor of the event, said, "This is the first of its kind. Where can you get such a beautifully scenic location? It will bring in an adrenalin rush and the tourists as well. We have over 100 participants, including 55 from across the country."
