The global sportswear giant, Puma has announced a partnership with the Ladakh Marathon as the official sportswear partner for the 11th edition of the renowned high-altitude endurance challenge.
Scheduled for September 5-8, 2024, the event is set to attract thousands of participants from around the world.
This collaboration underscores Puma India’s commitment to fostering a vibrant running community in the country and solidifying India’s position as a global running hub. As part of the partnership, Puma will provide high-performance gear, including Race Day Tees (RDTs) and inner thermals, to all participants. Additionally, specialized gear such as beanies, caps, upper thermals, and jackets will be supplied to the elite 390 runners competing in the Ultra Category.
Commenting on the occasion, Karthik Balagopalan, Managing Director, PUMA India, said, “Running is one of the fastest growing sports globally and India’s vibrant running community exemplifies this trend. As a brand, PUMA is heavily invested in running as a sport and as the running culture has its web spread around the world, we at PUMA are committed to helping make India one of the epicenters in the long run. Ladakh Marathon is an exceptional terrain, and we are extremely excited to provide the participating runners with high-quality performance gear and race day tees, as the official sportswear partner. This marathon set amidst the majestic mountains is bound to be a memorable experience for the collective, and we are confident that PUMA’s association will elevate every mile to the top.”
Shri Chewang Motup, Founder and Race Director of the Ladakh Marathon, added, “It’s truly heartening to witness the evolution of the Ladakh Marathon into a vibrant festival over the years. Participants are returning annually, starting their LM journey with the 11.2km and 21km races, progressing to the full marathon, and ultimately conquering the Khardungla Challenge. Most importantly, the Ladakh Marathon’s fostering of local youth talent. We are proud that in this short span of 10 years, Ladakhi runners have risen to become some of India’s elite athletes. Notably, Jigmet Dolma has represented India internationally, and many promising upcoming talented young runners are securing podium finishes at various marathons across the country.”
The partnership between PUMA India and the Ladakh Marathon marks a significant milestone in the realm of sports and fashion, combining performance and style for athletes venturing into one of the world’s most demanding environments.
Puma’s involvement in the Ladakh Marathon aligns with its broader commitment to Indian sports. The brand has established strong partnerships with cricket stars Virat Kohli, Harmanpreet Kaur, Riyan Parag, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Mohammed Shami, and has also signed multi-year deals with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).
By providing top-tier performance gear and supporting such iconic events, Puma continues to solidify its position as a leader in the global sports industry.
The Ladakh Marathon features a diverse range of distances to accommodate runners of all levels. This year, over 6,200 participants will compete across six categories: the Silk Route Ultra (122 km), Khardungla Challenge, Full Marathon (42.195 km), Half Marathon (21.0975 km), 11.2 km race, and 5 km Run for Fun.
The Silk Route Ultra, renowned as one of the world’s toughest endurance challenges, will see 68 elite ultra-runners attempt to conquer the 122-kilometre course with its gruelling elevation gains. The Khardungla Challenge, another highlight, has attracted a record 311 participants, including 40 women, this year.