A Journey Through The Darkest Hours… Before Sunrise
Udaipur-based marathon runner Kailash Jain completes Silk Route Ultra Marathon – among the world’s toughest track
‘If you can dream it, you can do it. Believe in yourself, prepare for the worst, and push through the pain. On the other side, there’s victory waiting for you.’
Kailash Jain is a personality who has proven the oft-used phrase "Age is only a number" true. At the age of 57, Kailash, who hails from Ambamata, Udaipur, has accomplished something that even young people might only dream of.
On September 5, 2024, he completed the challenging 122-kilometer track of the Silk Route Ultra Marathon in Ladakh. This is the among the world’s toughest ultra marathon. One of the world’s highest and most challenging footrace. Kailash ran through the difficult, mountainous and treacherous roads in harsh weather conditions, completing the race in 19 hours and 44 minutes. And earned a gold medal!
Kailash’s journey is an awe-inspiring one, telling of willpower, fortitude and an indissoluble will. He says if you are determined, there’s nothing you cannot achieve. “If you can dream it, you can do it,” says the athlete. “Believe in yourself, prepare for the worst and push through the pain. On the other side, there’s victory waiting for you.”
‘Toughest Long Distance Race’
Kailash describes the marathon as the toughest terrain, the longest distance and the highest altitude race. For such challenges, participants need to have strong lung capacity and be physically fit, the sportsman said.
He mentioned that over the years, he has participated in several trail marathons, full marathons and half marathons. His marathon journey began with the 50-kilometer trail marathon in Mount Abu. After that, he participated in a 90-kilometer marathon in Ooty and also ran in the 72-kilometer Khardung La marathon in Ladakh in 2023, where he won a gold medal in his age category.
Running the Marathon
Those who want to push their limits and test their endurance, the Ladakh Silk Route Ultra Marathon is the best challenge for them, he says. This marathon isn’t just about running; it’s about survival and pushing the human body and mind to the very edge, he adds.
The Silk Route Ultra Marathon is regarded as one of the most challenging foot races worldwide. It covers a distance of 122 km and takes place at high altitude, beginning at approximately 10,500 ft above sea level (ASL). It involves crossing Khardung La (situated at 18,000 ft ASL), before concluding at Leh Market (10,500 ft ASL).
Kailash said that participants have to run alone in the dark on mountainous paths. There are moments during the run where fear creeps in and the exhaustion - due to continuous running, high elevation (18,000 feet) and lack of oxygen - takes its toll.
Runners rely on a small headlamp to guide them in the freezing cold and are given 22 hours to complete the treacherous route.
“Running through the night, with only my headlamp for company, the isolation of those 10 hours in pitch-black darkness was something else”, Kailash
There are seven different support points along the way to assist participants. He faced challenges such as broken roads and running in the dark, all while ensuring that he did not injure his feet.
Ultra runners find these solitary hours to be the most crucial. Mental toughness becomes as significant as physical stamina. Running in the darkness demands concentration, perseverance and the capacity to continue moving forward despite the tedium and fatigue. Succumbing to tiredness is tempting, but Kailash says he understood that this was the time when genuine champions emerged - during the darkest hours before sunrise.
Dehydration Worries
When he was at the 50 km mark, Kailash’s hydration backpack failed and he was left without sufficient water supply. This was a huge setback for him because in such races, hydration is key to survive and complete the race. Lack of sufficient water could lead to dehydration causing dizziness, cramps and even collapse. However, Kailash managed to find a 250ml bottle which he kept refilling at hydration points along the route. Though this was of not much help because it was insufficient and he had to struggle without adequate hydration all through his run but he kept going.
Dehydration and cramps set in around the 80km mark and his body was screaming for him to stop. Cramps had taken over and dehydration had sapped his energy. This is the point in an ultra-marathon where many runners are forced to quit, but Kailash kept on.
“Every five kilometres, I was running and refilling this little bottle leading to severe dehydration. But as they say: When life gives you lemons, squeeze the heck out of them!”
Family Support
Taking on such a challenge at the age of 57 is not something any runner’s family will be happy about. And for Kailash’s mother this was very concerning. She was worried for him. But, on the other hand, his father, wife and children supported and encouraged him, as always. However, when he completed the challenge and won the gold medal, his mother had no other option but to be very proud of his achievement.
Kailash has found inspiration from his father who, he says, is very health conscious. Even at the age of 87, his father walks an average of 15,000 steps every day.
Fitness Journey
Talking about his early fitness journey, Kailash shared that for 10 years straight, he practiced aerobics, went regularly to the gym and did weight training. He also gives credit to some of his friends who have motivated him to stay fit and continuously take on new challenges. Today, even though he has become a grandfather, he is quite energetic for his age.
Apart from marathons, Kailash has also participated in several cycling events and is a member of the Udaipur Cycling Club. He credits his friend Sharad Iyengar for introducing him to cycling, with whom he completed a 650-kilometer cycling trip from Manali to Khardung La.
The athlete says that sports are an integral part of his life. After participating in this ultra marathon, he feels he has achieved everything, as it is a very difficult challenge in terms of the roads, weather, elevation and distance. He plans to continue participating in such marathons and will also inspire and help his peers prepare for such challenges.
Message for Youth
Kailash expressed his concerns about the young generation of today saying that the current youngsters spend excessive amounts of time on platforms like Instagram, Facebook and other social media, which he believes does not bring them any real benefits.
He wants the youth to focus less on social media and more on their health. He says they need to stay fit and take care of their bodies. He urged everyone, regardless of age, to dedicate at least one hour each day to maintaining their health. He also stressed on the importance of a proper diet, which he says, plays a crucial role in keeping a person healthy and warding off diseases.
Key Challenges of the Silk Route Ultra Marathon
According to Kailash, only a few participants can join this race, as there are specific criteria one must meet in order to participate. This is because of the following conditions:
- Altitude – The race takes place at altitudes between 3,500 and 5,000 meters (11,500 to 16,500 feet) where the air is thin and oxygen levels quite low
- Terrain – The path is very rugged with uneven and treacherous trails
- Extreme weather conditions – Scorching heat in the day and freezing cold at night
Preparing for the Marathon
Preparing intensely for the marathon is very crucial and Kailash shares that he prepared for this feat for an entire year, conditioning himself to face Ladakh's tough weather and environment. Key points to focus on before embarking on such a venture:
- Preparation is crucial: Train not just for the physical distance but for the conditions you’ll face.
- Adaptability is key: Expect the unexpected and be ready to pivot when things go wrong.
- Mental toughness wins races: Practice mental toughness through mindfulness, visualisation and positive self-talk.
- Never give up: Victory is in the will to keep going when everything else tells you to stop.
- Nutrition: It is very important for those training for/or running in an ultra marathon. The diet will depend on factors like the body weight, training duration and terrain. Work with a nutritionist to craft a sustainable diet plan that meets your race needs.
- Hydration is crucial: When racing, it's important to take into account energy usage, the presence of carbohydrates, intake of protein and approaches to combat dehydration.
- Training plans: For an ultra marathon plans may range roughly between 16 to 24 weeks. Beginners or individuals with minimal marathon experience should consider dedicating 18 to 24 weeks to training in order to gradually increase mileage and minimise the chances of getting injured.