At the worlds highest frozen lake marathon, Chennais Major Amirtharaj NS makes a mark

Where the Greater Himalayas rise from the Indo-Gangetic plains to run alongside Pakistan and China lies a big salt lake on the roof of the world. The Pangong Tso in Ladakh, a delicate border level at 13,862 toes with temperatures that plummet to -35 diploma Celsius, is peopled solely by just a few locals, bar-headed geese, and crustaceans in its deep depths. The solely fixed that has survived for hundreds of years in its skinny air is Buddhism.

On February 25, at this distant Shangri La, The Pangong Frozen Half Marathon was held. It coated a distance of 21.9 kilometres run in a loop on the lake, 11 kilometres up and 11 down between Merak and Maan. Organised by the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and Adventure Sports Foundation of Ladakh, with assist from the Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, it holds the Guinness World Record for being the world’s highest frozen lake marathon. Among the 100-odd runners was Major Amirtharaj NS, a Chennai-raised Indian Army officer now posted there.

“I hated working,” laughs Amirtharaj on a cellphone name. “Running was a part of my coaching at Sainik School, Amaravathinagar, the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy. But it was basketball that was my past love.” Commissioned into the regiment of Artillery, Amirtharaj, the son of a retired Chief Engineer, TANGEDCO, and Government college trainer says the inspiration to run got here from his 63-year-old father, Sathiaseelan. “I don’t come from a forces background. I used to be all set to be an engineer however becoming a member of the Army was a childhood ardour. I excelled as a sportsperson, enjoying basketball, volleyball and squash at academy, Division and Command-level matches, however the push for working got here from my father who has accomplished 5 half-marathons at his age,” says Amirtharaj who adopted the drum, serving on the LoC, the North-East, Ambala and Jaisalmer.

What Amirtharaj says subsequent in regards to the coaching and easily surviving in these climes, the place there may be solely 40% oxygen, can shock you. “Although I had been energetic for near 12 years after I was first posted right here, my BP shot as much as 160/116. Army advisory consists of solely strolling and no working at such altitude. Chilblains and frostbite are frequent. Three layers of clothes, balaclava and snow goggles depart you claustrophobic. Even to heat up, it’s worthwhile to stroll 4 kilometres. The solar comes up at 9am and you must situation your thoughts to rise up and get out. Food is usually tinned and also you crave oxygen 24×7. Sudden demise is a continuing,” says Amirtharaj.

While the video of the run on this idyll appears to be like exhilarating, it additionally appears to be the loveliest place to have a nosebleed. The marathon that noticed entry restricted to seasoned runners from the world over and India was additionally a pitch for battlefield tourism — Galwan Valley is shut — and ecological sustainability. “I got here to know of the marathon in August final. I had had an ACL reconstruction however was decided to not let that get me down. A memoir and sequel by retired US Navy Seal David Goggins on mastering your thoughts set the tempo.”

Training for his first marathon, Amirtharaj made certain his Army buddy Lakhwinder Singh was at all times by his facet. “I ran six days every week ranging eight to 10 kilometres a day. The common temperature was -28 levels. My teammates thought I used to be loopy however I’ve by no means felt extra alive.”

Race day dawned chilly and gray however quickly had the solar and clouds contend for dominion over the scree slopes. The lake had frozen over and the run started with the wave of a chequered flag. For Amirtharaj, who clocked three hours and 10 minutes and devoted the run to his kids, the primary 10 kilometres was straightforward. The second spherical was extra a battle of the thoughts. “I wore no cleats. I ran in my sneakers and in addition managed to persuade a coursemate, Major Vivek AR to run. And there was my buddy too. Suddenly, it turned a friendship run. You had the choice to decelerate right into a stroll however to maintain working with out stopping was my win, greater than finishing the race itself,” says Amirtharaj.