Kargil, July 01: In a grand tribute to the valor and sacrifices of the Indian Armed Forces, the Indian Army, in collaboration with the Sarhad Foundation, Pune, and the Civil Administration, organized a series of marathon events at Dras. These events were held to mark the Platinum Jubilee of the Zoji La Battle and the Silver Jubilee of Kargil Vijay Diwas.
The marathon series, aptly named Sarhad Shauryathon, began with a poignant flag-off ceremony at the iconic Zoji La War Memorial and Kargil War Memorial. The event was graced by the presence of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Forever in Operations Division and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar, PVC, who led the ceremonial start of the marathons.
The marathons featured five races of varying distances, catering to participants of all age groups including 4 km Fun Run, 10 km, 25 km and 44 km.
Participants braved the icy heights of Zoji La and traversed the historic battlegrounds of Dras, commemorating the courage of soldiers who fought in these regions. The event attracted a diverse group of runners from across the nation and the local communities of the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The Sarhad Shauryathon was more than just a series of races; it was a celebration of resilience and the indomitable spirit of the Indian Armed Forces. The event aimed to strengthen the bond between the military and the civilian populace, highlighting Dras as a potential hub for adventure tourism.
Jaffar Ali emerged as the winner of the 10 km male category, while Stanzin Chodol claimed victory in the 10 km female category. Tirtha Kumar and Tashi Ladol won the 25 km male and female categories respectively. In the 44 km races, Nawang Tsering and Diskit Dolma emerged as the top male and female finishers.
Sanjay Nahar. Founder of Sarhad Pune, spoke about the inspiration behind the Sarhad Foundation. He credited General VP Malik for encouraging the foundation’s establishment post-Kargil War. “Today, we celebrate 25 years of Kargil Vijay Diwas with this magnificent Sarhad Shauryathon. It is a testament to the global recognition of the sacrifices made by our soldiers,” said Nahar. He reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to supporting the youth and residents of Kargil, aiming to extend their impact for years to come.
Participants expressed their appreciation for the platform provided by Sarhad Shauryathon. An athlete shared, “Events like these offer us a chance to showcase our talent and compete on an international stage. We hope Sarhad continues to inspire and encourage the youth of Kargil.”
