Nagaland’s Lanuakum Longkumer among finishers of ‘World’s Highest Marathon’

Vishü Rita Krocha Kohima | October 19In a proud moment for Nagaland, Lanuakum Longkumer completed the Ladakh Marathon, hailed as the “World’s Highest Marathon” on September 13 and was among the finishers who completed one of the world’s most grueling endurance running events. He secured the 36th position overall and the 8th position in his age category, with a finishing time of 3 hours, 55 minutes and 30 seconds covering 42.195 kilometres.Born and raised in Ungma village, Mokokchung, Lanuakum Longkumer is a banker by profession, “a non-elite distance runner, and an amateur kettlebell sports athlete” as he put it. But he also went on to earn four national and Grand Prix gold medals and six state championship titles.  Held in one of the world’s highest-altitude marathon destinations, the event takes runners through the challenging terrain of Ladakh, at elevations ranging from approximately 11,500 feet to much higher points along the route. “Its unique geography, extreme conditions and demanding course make it a distinctive challenge for runners from around the world,” he related to The Morung Express.After the 36-kilometre mark, he recalled, “I began to feel dizzy and nauseated. My legs were exhausted, and moving became increasingly difficult.” He remembered the final four kilometres being especially gruelling even as he alternated between jogging and walking, determined to reach the finish line despite the steep sections and the exhaustion he was experiencing. However, he expressed it was absolutely worth the pain and struggle even while putting across that, “crossing the finish line was an emotional moment.”“It was more than completing a marathon; it was the fulfilment of a dream that had taken years to realise. The experience was both humbling and empowering. It taught us that endurance is not simply about physical strength. It is also about patience, discipline, mental resilience and the determination to keep moving when the journey becomes difficult,” he underlined.For anyone who dreams of experiencing this extraordinary event, he encouraged them “to consider the challenge seriously, prepare thoroughly and approach it with respect for the altitude and the demands of the course.”Further stating that representing Nagaland on such a challenging platform was an honour beyond words, he also expressed that, “as someone from Ungma Village, Mokokchung, I feel humbled to have taken part in an event of this stature.”“It was a moment of pride for my family and, I hope, an encouragement to fellow runners from Nagaland,” he added. Stating that the achievement goes beyond a finishing time or a position in the rankings, he underscored, “it represents years of preparation, the willingness to sacrifice, and the courage to pursue a dream despite the obstacles.”Ladakh Marathon: A Test of Grit & CourageRecounting the experience, he expressed that, “getting to Ladakh is neither easy nor inexpensive” while highlighting the race registration, qualifying certificates, flight tickets, accommodation, food and other travel expenses all of which require careful planning. Accompanied by his wife Kavita, who participated in the Half Marathon comprising 21.195 kilometres, he recollected, “we had to make sacrifices to be there, but we were determined to experience the challenge of the mighty Ladakh Marathon.”Ladakh is renowned among endurance runners for events such as the Silk Route Ultra 122K, the Khardung La Challenge 72K, the Pangong Frozen Lake Marathon and the Ladakh Marathon 42.195K. These events attract runners seeking to test their endurance against some of the world’s most demanding high-altitude landscapes. Given Ladakh’s altitude and geographical location, he said, “proper preparation is essential before undertaking any strenuous physical activity.” As their plane descended towards Leh, he reminisced the breathtaking view from the window wherein snow-capped mountains stretched across the horizon, and tiny villages appeared nestled between the mighty mountains, seemingly in the middle of nowhere.He also spoke about some of the symptoms associated with acute mountain sickness (AMS), and the experience that reminded them Ladakh’s beauty comes with environmental challenges that visitors must take seriously.It, being their first visit to Ladakh, the couple also prioritised acclimatising properly and giving themselves the best possible chance of completing the marathon successfully. “We followed the acclimatisation guidelines provided by the organisers, including arriving well ahead of race day. Adequate time at altitude allows the body to adjust gradually before undertaking strenuous exercise”, he articulated.As they gradually adjusted, and explored the town while remaining active without overexerting themselves, they also learnt that patience was essential even as he expressed that, “at such an altitude, the desire to explore and train must be balanced with the need to allow the body enough time to adapt.” Stating that “one of the things we treated as non-negotiable was hydration,” he said, “We paid close attention to our fluid intake and made adjustments to suit the conditions and our activity levels.”“We learnt the importance of staying adequately hydrated without forcing excessive amounts of water. Our eating habits also changed during our stay. Despite maintaining regular meal times, we often felt less hungry than usual. The combination of altitude, physical exertion and changes in routine appeared to affect our appetite,” he further shared. However, they also made a conscious effort to eat sufficiently to support their training and recovery.He also highlighted about Ladakh’s extraordinary geography and climate while citing their fascination for the streams and rivers carrying cold mountain water towards settlements across the region. “Seeing how water from the mountains sustains villages and towns gave us a deeper appreciation of the relationship between people and nature in this high-altitude region,” he added.Discovering Ladakh was not merely about running, he emphasized while stating, “it was also about experiencing a landscape, culture and way of life very different from our own.”During their stay, they also explored several remarkable places, including Khardung La Pass, Nubra Valley, the Siachen border region, Rezang La, Sumur, Pangong Tso and Hanle, and several other experiences, which he felt, added another dimension to their journey, reminding them that Ladakh’s wonders extend far beyond its mountains. As for the Marathon, which is a test of grit and courage, he is grateful to have participated in the remarkable event organised by Ladakh Marathon. Expressing that completing the race was a testament to perseverance, courage and mental strength, he recalled the months of preparation, the sacrifices they made and the challenges they encountered along the way.“Every kilometre tested us beyond our perceived limits”, he recalled, while citing the thin air, accumulated fatigue and relentless pounding on their legs making the race increasingly difficult.He made special mention of his wife and running partner, who, he tesified, has been a constant source of support throughout their running journey. Stating that she successfully completed the half marathon of 21 kilometres with an excellent finishing time, he added that, “her dedication inspires me, and having her beside me as we pursue our running goals makes every achievement even more meaningful.”“There is something truly special about sharing such experiences with the person who encourages you, understands the sacrifices involved and celebrates every milestone with you,” he said while expressing, “I am grateful that we could undertake this journey together and create memories that will remain with us for a lifetime.”To the people of Nagaland who dream of participating in the event, he urged, “believe that it is possible” while pointing to the state’s beautiful landscapes, challenging terrains and opportunities to build a strong foundation for endurance running. “Make use of these natural advantages, but remember that talent alone is not enough,” he said while stressing on consistent training, discipline and preparation. Running a marathon at such a high altitude, he also underlined, requires determination, patience, courage and a willingness to work towards a goal over an extended period. He himself trained for months specifically for the event even while balancing work, personal responsibilities and training while making sacrifices, difficult days and weeks of rigorous preparation. However, pointing out that progress comes through consistency and a well-planned routine, he also shared, “for me, this included organising my training schedule, paying attention to nutrition and hydration, getting sufficient sleep, and allowing time for recovery.”“My advice is simple: set a goal, prepare intelligently, remain consistent and respect the limits of your body. Do not underestimate the demands of high-altitude running. Seek proper guidance, acclimatise adequately and give yourself enough time to prepare. If you set your mind to something meaningful and are willing to work patiently towards it, you may discover that you are capable of far more than you initially imagined,” he further put across. Expressing his dream to inspire our people and encourage others to pursue their own goals, he exuded hope that his journey can motivate even a few people to take that first step towards something they once thought impossible. “If I have been able to inspire even one person, I would consider that a blessing. There are still so many greater things for us to discover, experience and conquer. The Ladakh Marathon was one dream fulfilled. It has also reminded me that the journey of discovery is far from over,” he articulated.