India’s first snow marathon in Lahaul on March 26

Story by  ATV | Posted by  Aasha Khosa • 2 Years ago
Yosuf-Uz Zaman
Yosuf-Uz Zaman

 

Tripti Nath/New Delhi

 

In 25 years as a Communications Specialist, Yosuf Uz Zaman has steered many coveted projects but he is excited to be part of the core team organizing India’s first snow marathon in Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh, on March 26. The marathon will be flagged off at 6 a.m. from Sissu, a small town in Lahaul about 40 km from Manali in Himachal Pradesh. 

 

What makes this marathon unique is its location as all other snow and ice marathons have been taking place mostly in Europe or the arctic circle. Lahaul and Spiti are already well known for their unequaled landscapes, cultural richness, and monasteries. The snow marathon will add value to this picturesque destination. 

 

Explaining the special significance of the event, Yosuf says, “After all, this is India’s first snow marathon. More than 80 persons from seven states have registered for the marathon. We are always on the lookout for how we can create more awareness about ecology and deforestation which is happening in our country. Saving the environment is our main focus. Before the pandemic, I was associated with the organizing team of two editions of the Manali-Khardungla cycle championship. We are also trying to start India’s first winter games in Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir. I have handled many prestigious events like the Jaipur Literature Festival and the Rajasthan International Folk Festival (RIFF) in Jodhpur but the snow marathon is something different.’’

According to the organizers of the event, Reach India, a Delhi-based event management company and travel and expeditions organizer, Gaurav Schimar, the marathon will take place in the environs of Khoksar and Sissu, at an average altitude of 10,500 feet. It offers four formats of running – 42 km, 21 km, 10 km, and five km – open to all men, women, and juniors. There is even a joy race of one km inviting people to experience this pioneering event. 

 


 Yousf uz Zaman

 

The Navy is sending more than 12 participants from its three commands- south, east, and west.  

 

The snow marathon is indeed something that has attracted enormous interest. The brand ambassadors are Kieren D'souza, an ultra-trail runner from Manali, Vishal Gudulkar, an ultra-runner from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, and Prakriti Varshney, Manali based runner who is also the second Indian woman to climb Mt. Ama Dablam in 2021. 

 

Rajiv Kumar, CEO of Reach India, a Delhi-based event company, says that 85 persons from Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Uttarakhand have registered for various categories of the marathon. “Thanks to Gaurav Schimer, an adventure enthusiast and Himalayan lover based in Manali we conceptualized this marathon. We are privileged to have as our chief event adviser Colonel Natarajan, Army Aviator and an adventure enthusiast who has over 6000 hours of operational flying experience in all variants of the aircraft held with the Indian Army including the Rudra attack helicopters. Apart from this, Delhi-based Nakul Butta is our event consultant. Butta has won several long-distance races (ultra-marathons, half marathons, trail races) and is a regular top finisher in major races around the country.’’ 

 

Kumar said that they are privileged to have Col J.S. Dhillon, a veteran as the principal advisor for the snow marathon. 

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The event which is supported by Lahaul district Administration and brands like Fast &UP, Coro’s, Joy Brau, Fitt Lounge, and Fortis Mohali, is all set to launch India on the global running circuit.