The land of passes and unparalleled rugged beauty.
In September this year we’re coming to the Ladakh Marathon. We have long held a
special connection to this land and its people. We’ve run, we’ve hiked, and we’ve cycled
here. Tested our products here. And we also launched our Merino collection during the
2018 Ladakh Marathon.
We will be based in Leh from 1st September to 7th September this year. And while we’re
there we’re doing a few things to ensure we get to meet and interact with runners
visiting the town for the races this year in Ladakh.
What to expect?
The Athlos pop up
1st September to 7th September
Metta cafe Leh
Pravin and Mithun from our team will be present at
the Athlos pop up at Metta Cafe Leh. Our Merino and
Running collection will be available at a special price
at the pop up.
So come along and meet usi if you’re in Leh during
this period. As outdoor and running enthusiasts, we’re
always excited to meet and jam with fellow runners.
We’d love to get to know you and share stories.
The Athlos
Shakeout Runs
We’re organising two shakeout runs in the days leading up to the races. The runs will be led by Athlos user and Khardung La Challenge finisher Cocky Van Dam. Cocky will also share tips and advice for runners based on her previous experiences at the Ladakh Marathon.
Shakeout Run 1
Date - 3rd September
Time - 7 am to 7:30 am followed by coffee at Metta cafe Leh.
Meeting point - Metta Cafe Leh
Register
Shakeout Run 2
Date - 7th September
Time - 7 am to 7:30 am followed by coffee at Metta cafe Leh.
Meeting point - Metta Cafe Leh
Register
We’ve also put together a handy guide that you might find useful if you’re running this
year’s edition of the Ladakh Marathon. We’ve tried to cover everything from
acclimatisation to restaurants to eat at in Leh. We hope this comes in handy.
While you should reach 7 to 10 days in advance. We've often seen people who are new
to this environment, pushing themselves too hard too soon. It is important that you use
the first 2 days to rest, hydrate and give your body the time to acclimatise to the
altitude and thin air. Everything that can go wrong happens during the first 2 days.
For more on this refer to this booklet from the official website
Race Gear
Collection
For HER and HIM
Gear
Carry quick-drying, lightweight, and temperature-regulating gear. While the mornings can be chilly, the sun starts beating down by 7 am. Add to this the weather conditions change quickly in the mountain passes. So pack stuff that is versatile and tested.
We’ve put together a list of our products & other essentials based on what our team and customers have tested here over the years, at the Ladakh Marathon and other expeditions in the region.
Packing list :
1. Sun screen (Banana Boat or anything with high SPF). Apply sunscreen on the back of your neck. This is where most people get sun burnt during the race.
2.Cap
3.UV protection sun glasses
4.Lip balms
5. Woolen socks and gloves. Especially helpful for early mornings and late in the night.
6. Hydration bag. Also use the hydration stops, arranged by the organizers effectively through your run
Athlos customers have chosen our running collections for both men and women as their preferred gear for past editions, along with our temperature regulating merino baselayers.
Practice
runs
Only after 2 days of rest and acclimatization though. We recommend a run to Shanti Stoopa or Tsemo Gompa.
Eating
out
Leh has everything to offer from great coffees to the staple Tibetan noodle soup. Over the years our team and friends have discovered some real gems in Leh. Take the time to visit some of these while you're there.
Our favourites:
1.Namza - The best restaurant in Leh, serving authentic Ladakhi cuisine
2.Wazwan planet - Has a centeen vibe but serves good Kashmiri Wazwan, in main Leh market.
3.Bodhi greens - Vegan cafe in the main market.
4.Lehvenda Vafe : Good coffee,sandwiches and one of the best cafés in the main market of Lehleh
5. Metta Cafe Leh : Great coffee and hot chocolates. This cafe was started by a friend of Athlos, Tanvi.
Packing,
not packaging
We want to minimise our environmental impact and have been a work in progress. We always skipped plastic, and since June 2020, we started shipping our orders minus extra tags, invoices, and content that often ends up in trash.
