One Hundred® Ladakh – Trail to Heaven 2026

An Unforgettable Ultra in the Himalayas

The One Hundred® Ladakh – Trail to Heaven is not just a race – it is a pilgrimage into the sacred silence of the Himalayas, a bold and daring odyssey carved into the canvas of the Earth’s roof.

Here, where the sky meets the earth and the mountains stand as timeless sentinels, every step is a dialogue with the elements. You will trace the windswept Markha River, climb through high desert passes draped in prayer flags, and follow paths once walked by Silk Road traders, monks, and wanderers. This is more than running – it is a communion with nature’s rawest forces, a dance with destiny, and a tribute to the indomitable human spirit.

Forged by an intimate Pioneer Edition in 2025, the First Official Edition (6–8 August 2026) now opens to the world. Be part of a rare moment in endurance sport: the birth of a legend, the threshold of a new chapter, and the beginning of what promises to become one of the most iconic trail races on Earth.

What awaits is not only distance and elevation, but transformation. Most of Ladakh lies above 3,500 metres (11,500 ft), with peaks soaring beyond 7,000 metres (23,000 ft). Oxygen thins, time itself stretches, and the body must learn a new rhythm. The land of high passes – La-dakh – is a place where the earth’s bones are laid bare, and the air carries the prayers of centuries past.

To run Ladakh is to be changed by it. It is to carve your name in the snow and dust of the high desert, to step into the myth and majesty of the Himalayas, and to discover what endures when everything else is stripped away.

This is more than an ultra. This is Trail to Heaven.

Why This Race is Special

At altitudes where breath is scarce and silence is vast, every step is a dialogue with the mountains. Ladakh Trail to Heaven is one of the world’s highest and most extraordinary ultras:

1. Altitude Challenge – Courses above 3,000m, with passes over 5,000m, make this one of the highest ultras on Earth.

2. Sacred Landscapes – Ancient monasteries, prayer flags, and remote villages offer rare cultural immersion.

3. Raw Self-Sufficiency – Thin air, river crossings, and remote terrain demand resilience and absolute determination.

4. Elemental Extremes – Scorching sun by day, freezing winds by night: nature itself is the rival.

5. A Rite of Passage – To finish Ladakh is to join a select lineage of runners who have conquered the Himalayas.

Choose Your Challenge

100 Miles | 158 km | +6,242m elevation | 42h limit

100 KM | 109 km | +3,770m elevation | 30h limit

42 KM | 42.7 km | +1,750m elevation | 14h limit

Every distance is a test of body, mind, and spirit — a passage into the thin air of the Himalayas.

Race Details

1. Date: 6–8 August 2026

2. Location: Ladakh, India (Leh to Stok)

3. Navigation: GPS-guided course (GPX file + backup battery required)

4. Aid Stations: Strategically placed for safety & support

5. Mandatory Acclimatisation: Arrive at least 7 days before (10+ days strongly recommended)

Registration Policies

1. Entries are non-transferable & non-refundable (except in line with official policy).

2. All runners must complete the One Hundred® medical waiver form. You will be emailed this once you apply.

3. Proof of insurance covering high-altitude racing is required. Proof of this must be sent to us no later than 30 days before the race.

4. All athletes must adhere to our guidelines on acclimatization.

5. Limited slots per distance – register early to secure your place.

Visa & Entry Requirements

1. Foreign Nationals: Most travellers require an Indian visa. Apply within 30 days of travel (start as soon as the window opens). https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html 

2. Inner Line Permit (ILP): Mandatory for Ladakh; organisers will guide you through the process.

3. Passport Validity: Minimum 6 months required.

4. Domestic Travellers: No visa required for Indian citizens.

Itinerary (Provisional)

1. July 31–Aug 1: Recommended arrival in Leh (preferably earlier).

2. Aug 2–3: Athlete briefing & kit check.

3. Aug 2–6: Acclimatization period.

4. Aug 6–8: Race days (all distances).

5. Aug 9: Awards, closing ceremony, optional cultural excursion. To ensure eligibility for your race trophy (if you place 1st, 2nd, 3rd), inclusion in the official race records, and in the overall World Championship rankings, all finishers must attend the Prize Giving Ceremony. Please make your travel arrangements accordingly, to ensure your participation in the Prize Giving Ceremony. Failure to attend will result in non-receipt of your trophy and non-inclusion in the official race records.

GPS & Runner’s Guide

1. GPX files provided for all race distances (100M, 100K, 42K).

2. Mandatory to carry a GPS device + backup battery.

3. Full details (elevation profiles, checkpoints, acclimatisation, packing lists, medical requirements, travel tips) are in the Runner’s Guide. Download the Ladakh 2026 Runner’s Guide

4. We have partnered with Gretel Planner for your own benefit! Plan Smarter with Gretel Planner. All registered athletes gain access to Gretel Planner, a powerful tool designed to help you prepare and race with confidence. With Gretel, you can visualise the full course profile, study each segment in detail, plan your pacing and nutrition strategy, and anticipate where climbs, aid stations, and key challenges will appear. It’s your personal race blueprint, helping you manage effort, stay fuelled, and make smarter decisions on the trail.

High Altitude = High Stakes

Most of Ladakh lies above 3,500m, and peaks soar beyond 7,000m. Oxygen thins, and time itself seems to stretch. To race here, acclimatisation is not optional — it is the foundation of survival and success. Arrive at least 7 days before (we recommend 10) to properly prepare your body for the challenge.

High Altitude Safety

This race takes place at high altitude, where reduced oxygen levels significantly increase the risk of altitude sickness. Symptoms can include severe headaches, nausea, dizziness, disorientation, and in extreme cases, life-threatening complications.

Your safety depends on:

• Proper acclimatization – arrive early and give your body time to adjust.

• Mandatory gear – warm, weather-appropriate clothing is not optional; conditions can change suddenly.

• Listening to advice – our Race Directors and medical team will provide guidance before and during the race. Ignoring this advice can put you and others at risk.

High altitude should never be underestimated. Please prepare thoroughly, respect the mountain environment, and follow the protocols we set out both in the Runner's Guide and in Race Briefings, to ensure your safety and that of the wider racing community.

Voices from the Trail

Hear from athletes who braved the Pioneer Edition:

1. Francesca Canepa (Italy): “Majestic… there is truly nothing else in the world comparable.”

2. Sandra Mejía (Costa Rica): “The beauty of Ladakh is so overwhelming that at times you forget how tough the course is.”

3. Oliviero Alotto (Italy): “One of the most incredible races I’ve ever done.”

4. Eduardo Saliba (Brazil): “There are races you run. Others you live. And then there are those that mark you forever.”

5. Damian Watson (New Zealand): “It’s more than a race – it’s a Himalayan expedition.”

See TrailRunAdvisor for full race reviews

Are You Ready?

This isn’t just another ultra, it’s a race to the top of the world. Test your endurance. Conquer the elements. Experience the ultimate adventure.

Secure Your Spot Now – Registration is Open!

Insurance & Rescue Protocol

For your safety and the integrity of the race, comprehensive adventure sports insurance is mandatory. Your policy must explicitly cover:

1. High-altitude racing

2. Evacuation and rescue (ground or air)

3. Medical treatment and hospitalisation

4. Additional support during acclimatisation and race days

Rescue & Evacuation Protocol

All participants must follow the official rescue protocol in case of emergency or near-emergency. This ensures rapid response, proper documentation, and smooth processing with insurance providers.

What qualifies as a rescue/evacuation?

Rescue may be initiated in any situation at altitude that presents, or could present, a serious health risk — not only life-threatening emergencies. Examples include:

1. Minor but immobilising injuries requiring assistance

2. Moderate conditions (e.g. dehydration, exhaustion, sprains) that could escalate

3. Severe cases such as acute altitude sickness, trauma, or other medical emergencies

Procedure

1. Once a rescue is activated, a medical check report or doctor’s prescription must be obtained. Please cooperate with staff to complete this step.

2. If you are stable, conscious, and able to arrange post-treatment payments, ensure you collect all required documentation from us to claim reimbursement from your insurer.

3. In cases of serious illness, trauma, or non-ambulatory injury, the organisers will coordinate evacuation to the nearest hospital or town. Costs will be handled through your insurance, and compliance with staff instructions is essential.

Important: Participants are responsible for ensuring their insurance is valid for Ladakh’s unique conditions (remote, high-altitude, adventure sports). Proof of insurance will be required prior to race start.

Pre-Race Guidance: How to Prepare

High-altitude ultras are different. The Pioneer Edition showed us that success in Ladakh depends not just on fitness, but on smart preparation. Here are the key things to focus on before you arrive:

Training Tips

• Heat & Humidity: Training in hot, humid conditions (30°C+ / 55–75% humidity) helps mimic the stress of altitude. If that’s not possible where you live, use a sauna or steam room 3–4 times per week.

• Sleep Deprivation: Expect long sections at night above 4,000m, including 25–30 km over 5,000m passes. Practice some sleep-deficit runs so you know how your body and mind respond.

• Altitude Tent (optional): Pre-acclimatisation in a tent can make your first days in Leh more comfortable.

Gear Essentials

• Navigation: The course is not fully marked. You must use the GPX on your watch (40h battery required) and carry a phone with the file loaded (e.g. GAIA app). Bring a power bank and leave it in your drop bag at Markha (74 km) or Chokdo (109 km).

• Head Torches: Bring two head torches (≥400–450 lumens, 40–60m throw) plus spare batteries.

• Clothing: Weather can swing from 35°C sun at lower altitudes to freezing snow on the passes. Always carry a light down jacket, hard shell, and emergency blanket in your pack.

• River Crossings: After 120 km, expect 3–4 knee-deep streams without bridges. Pack lightweight sandals in Drop Bag 2 (Chokdo 109 km).

• Drop Bags: Two drop points – Markha (74 km) and Chokdo (109 km). Use lightweight 20–30L bags; tags provided.

In Leh

• Base: ECO Poplar Resort (quiet, ~1.7 km from market). Breakfast and dinner included.

• Food Safety: Avoid untreated water and casual restaurants at first. Use LifeStraw bottles or purification tablets. We’ll recommend safe places to eat.

Are You Ready?

This isn’t just another ultra, it’s a race to the top of the world. Test your endurance. Conquer the elements. Experience the ultimate adventure.

Secure Your Spot Now – Registration is Open! 

Indian Nationals

If you are an Indian National - you can pay in INR instead of USD/EUR if you so wish

Yes. Indian nationals may pay race entry fees in INR (Indian Rupees). To arrange this, please contact the Race Director, Chetan Sehgal, directly for payment instructions: india@onehundredtrail.com

Download the Ladakh Runner's Guide

For further information regarding the route, the elevation, preparation for endurance at altitude and our acclimatization package, please download the Runner's Guide

For more information:

www.onehundredtrail.com 

The One Hundred® World Championship

The One Hundred® Endurance Trail World Championship is the only global championship in ultra-trail running, bringing together the toughest races and the world’s most daring athletes on one stage. From the Himalayas to the jungles of Costa Rica and the deserts of the Middle East, it is where endurance becomes legend.

Qualification & Rankings (2026 onwards)

To keep competition fair, inclusive, and transparent, all athletes are ranked under the AGR (Age Group Ranking) Point System. Separate male and female categories are maintained to ensure balanced competition.

Individual Qualification Paths

• Performance: Win or place high in your age group at official One Hundred® qualifiers worldwide.

• Legacy: Complete 10 or more One Hundred® races since the 1st Edition in 2022 and earn a guaranteed slot.

• Invitation: Receive a special entry via celebrity/ambassador status or through the Physically Challenged Lottery (PCL).

Team Rankings

• Teams are formed by sponsors, brands, or communities.

• Points are aggregated from the top three athlete results at each qualifying race.

• Annual team standings add a new layer of camaraderie and competition to the World Championship.

Prize Award System

The One Hundred® Prize Award System recognises and rewards elite performance across the series:

• Premier Qualifying Races and Special Stages: podium prizes are awarded at each event.

• Alliance Series: prize money is set by local organisers (LOCs) on a race-by-race basis.

• Grand Final: prize pool for 2025 is confirmed at USD $65,000, (2026 TBC), with enhanced podium celebrations 

Note: Pioneer Editions of Premier Races do not offer prize money.

Championship Final

The season culminates at the One Hundred® World Championship Final, hosted annually in Mons, Brazil. This is the pinnacle of the series: the top athletes and teams from across the globe competing for titles, prize purses, and the chance to write their names into the history of endurance sport.

Runwards: The Miles That Matter

Your journey doesn’t end at the finish line. The One Hundred® Runwards Miles Club rewards every step of the way:

• Earn Miles: Every race registration, finisher’s medal, or Runwards partner interaction adds points to your digital wallet.

• Redeem Rewards: Use Runwards for free race entries, exclusive merchandise, VIP access, or sponsor perks.

• Stay Connected: Your digital Runwards card lives in your mobile wallet — no plastic, no fuss.

Runwards is the first loyalty program of its kind in trail running: designed to recognise commitment, celebrate community, and reward the athletes who make One Hundred® a global movement.