Sikkim Hosts Golden Jubilee High-Altitude International Marathon

Sikkim successfully hosted the Golden Jubilee High-Altitude International Marathon 2025 on Sunday to mark 50 years of Statehood. The event was organised by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs in coordination with the Social Welfare and Commerce & Industries Departments, positioning the state on the global sports tourism map.

The full marathon covered a 42 km course, starting from Tsomgo Lake at an altitude of 3,753 metres and concluding at Ridge Park, Gangtok. Known for its challenging terrain and stunning Himalayan landscape, the marathon attracted participants from across India and abroad.

Out of 520 registered runners, 348 took part in the marathon, including 265 men and 83 women. Twenty-five international athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Nepal registered for the event, with six completing the demanding course.

The event was flagged off at Tsomgo Lake in the presence of Brigadier Amrit Sharma, panchayat members, and officials from the organising departments. The prize distribution at Ridge Park was attended by Minister for Social Welfare, Women & Child Development, Samdup Lepcha, along with MLAs Delay Namgyal Barfungpa and Tenzing Norbu Lamtha.

In the men’s category, Kenya’s Juligs M Wahome secured first place, followed by Ganga Hang Subba of Sikkim in second, and Firomsa Ararsa of Ethiopia in third. The women’s category was won by Tamsie Singh of Uttar Pradesh, with Sikkim’s Chandrakala Sharma and Ethiopia’s Aberu Gemechu taking second and third respectively.

Officials confirmed that the Golden Jubilee Marathon is expected to become an annual event to further promote high-altitude sports and adventure tourism in Sikkim.