Results of Great Tibetan Marathon 2008 and next GTM on July 18, 2009

It was quite an exciting Great Tibetan Marathon (GTM) this year on July 19, 2008. This year the marathon was a lot bigger and better, the full marathon participants increased from 32 in 2007 (the year I participated) to 46 people this year. This includes Men and women participants. Quality of a marathon should be judged by the number of full marathon runners it attracts, and GTM has seen a quantum jump in registrations for the full marathon.

This year the mens winner finished in 3hrs 45mins, which is a lot slower than the mind blowing time set by Jan Peterson in 2007. He was really quick and he ran very effortlessly, it was almost as if the altitude did not just matter to him. It will be very difficult for someone to beat the time set by Jan, as the terrain and climate are quite hostile.

To view complete race results visit - http://www.great-tibetan-marathon.com/Results.aspx
To view 2007 results for comparison - http://www.great-tibetan-marathon.com/2007.aspx

This year again the organisers had four categories, full marathon, half marathon, 10km and 5km run. The organisers have also decide the date for the Great Tibetan Marathon (GTM) 2009 marathon. Its July 18, 2009 at Leh, Ladakh.

Since I was not able to make it this year, it would be really nice if runners of 2008 could post their comments on the blog, I will then update it on the blog, so that we all can make this event bigger in the coming year.

Great Tibetan Marathon 2008

Registration for the 2008 marathon has closed now. The marathon takes place on Saturday, July 19, 2008.
visit for more details.

Races details for this year -
Four distances (men and women) - Half and Full Marathon, 10K and 5K

Course details
- Starts at Hemis Gompa monastery,Leh 3,800 meters above sea level
- Terrain varies between tarmac, gravel, wooden bridges, sand and village unpaved dirt roads (about 70% on tarmac)
- Water Stations, set up every four (4) km, will have water, shaded area, and toilet tents
- Kilometer signs will be counting down from 42.195 km to zero
- Finish in the courtyard of the Spituk Monastery with an altitude of 3,400 meters (so you are gradually going downhill)

This time the organisers have arranged for ChampionChip timing system, chip will be provided and must be returned. The cut off this year is 8 hours (everyone finished within 6.5hrs last year and yes, everyone finished)

If you havn't registered for this year then you will have to wait for the next edition. It takes place on July 18, 2009.