{
  "id": 10240721,
  "title": "Kalyan-Dombivli Runners Conquer Ladakh High-Altitude Marathon, 58-Year-Old Vijay Sakpal Completes 72-Km Challenge",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/kalyan-dombivli-runners-conquer-ladakh-high-altitude-marathon-58-year",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-27T15:43:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/kalyan-dombivli-runners-conquer-ladakh-high-altitude-marathon-58-year-old-vijay-sakpal-completes-72-km-challenge"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kalyan-Dombivli runners braved Ladakh's thin air, extreme altitude, and challenging terrain at the prestigious international marathon. Runners Clan Foundation (RCF) members completed various race categories, displaying endurance, discipline, and determination on one of India's most demanding high-altitude courses. 58-year-old Vijay Sakpal was the standout performer, finishing the grueling 72-km Khardung La Challenge in 12 hours, 36 minutes, and 28 seconds. He became the first runner from Kalyan-Dombivli to conquer this arduous event. RCF runner Digender Mahara completed the 42.195-km full marathon in 4 hours and 27 minutes, while 65-year-old Gopinath Nair completed the same distance in 6 hours and 32 minutes. Vaishali Sakpal made cultural history by wearing a traditional Nauvari saree during the 5-km run. Their achievements highlight the importance of systematic training, perseverance, and mental resilience in high-altitude endurance events, as well as the growing interest in long-distance running among people of all ages.",
  "summary": "Kalyan: Defying Ladakh’s thin air, extreme altitude and demanding Terrain runners from Kalyan-Dombivli delivered an impressive performance at the prestigious international marathon held in the Union Territory. Members of the Runners Clan Foundation (RCF) successfully completed various race categories, showcasing endurance, discipline and determination on one of India’s most challenging…",
  "key_points": [
    "58-year-old Vijay Sakpal completes 72-km Khardung La Challenge in 12h 36m 28s",
    "Digender Mahara finishes 42.195-km full marathon in 4h 27m",
    "Vaishali Sakpal wears traditional Nauvari saree during 5-km run"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}