LADAKH: Veteran Omani trail runner Hamed al Harthy added another remarkable achievement to his long list of daring endeavours by completing the Khardung La Challenge, the world’s highest ultra-marathon. Al Harthy finished seventh in the Veteran Male category with an impressive time of 11:17:19 at the Leh town of India's Union Territory of Ladakh.
The Khardung La Challenge, a gruelling 72-kilometre race, is known for its harsh conditions and high altitude, with participants running over 60 km at elevations exceeding 4,000 metres. Al Harthy, 65, is the first Arab to participate in this prestigious race, which takes runners across the Khardung La Pass at 5,400 metres. With temperatures dipping below -10º C at night, the ultra-marathon is considered one of the toughest endurance races in the world.
Al Harthy spent two weeks in July acclimatising to the altitude and familiarising himself with the race route, a key part of his preparation. Reflecting on his experience, he stated: “This race is extremely challenging due to the altitude and the cold, but I’ve been training since May, including stints in Thailand, Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, and right here in Leh. The thin air makes breathing difficult, but I’m proud to have completed this race and represented Oman as the first Arab competitor.”
The seasoned runner emphasised the importance of preparation, especially given the physical demands of the race: “The lack of oxygen, the high altitude, and the sub-zero temperatures during the night all added to the challenge. But I’m glad I pushed through and finished strong.”
Al Harthy’s journey to the Khardung La Challenge was self-funded, with no formal backing from the government or private sector. In his statement, he highlighted the need for more support for athletes embarking on such adventures: “Participation and preparation costs a lot, and I hope the private sector recognises the value in supporting athletes who represent Oman on the global stage.”
Through his achievements, Hamed al Harthy hopes to inspire Omani youth to challenge themselves and realise their potential. His message to them is simple: “Age is just a number. There are no shortcuts to success — patience, consistency and passion are key.”
In addition to his remarkable achievement in the Khardung La Challenge, Hamed is a key figure in Oman’s trail running scene. He has been instrumental in organising the Himam Trail Run Race, one of Oman’s premier endurance events, which saw over 2,000 participants from 60 countries in its 2023 edition. Hamed’s dedication to promoting trail running in Oman continues, with the fourth edition of the Himam Trail Run Race scheduled for December 5-6. Through both his competitive efforts and organisational leadership, Hamed remains a driving force in nurturing the trail running community in Oman and inspiring athletes to push their limits on the global stage.
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