Leh, September 13 (Daily Kiran) : Nikhil Singh emerged victorious in the Leh Marathon, which attracted over 8,000 runners from India and abroad. Competing in the 42-kilometer race, Singh finished with an impressive time of 2 hours, 44 minutes, and 40 seconds.
In an interview after his win, Singh expressed his delight about his first visit to Ladakh. “My experience has been wonderful. We traveled by road, and the scenery along the way was truly beautiful,” he said. Arriving about 9-10 days prior to the marathon, he noted that the initial days were challenging due to the sudden altitude change to approximately 3,200 meters above sea level. “We faced some difficulties during the first 4-5 days, but after a bit of practice, we adjusted to the altitude,” he added.
Singh described his overall marathon experience as very positive, highlighting the excellent route support. He remarked, “The views while running were indescribable. The course was quite challenging, especially at the beginning and the end. The first six kilometers were downhill, but the altitude posed significant challenges.” He acknowledged that while he was aware of the height beforehand, his mindset was to keep moving forward. “I managed to complete it while jogging, and given the conditions, my time was quite good.”
Reflecting on his achievement, Singh stated, “This first experience has been fantastic and will always be memorable. I finished the full marathon in about 2 hours and 44 minutes, although my personal best is 2 hours and 22 minutes. I’ve participated in major races across India, and this was my second marathon at such a high altitude, having previously run in the Spiti Valley.”
Nikhil Singh’s victory at the Leh Marathon not only showcases his athletic prowess but also his ability to adapt to challenging environments.
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