Over 260 tribals participated in the first "half marathon" organised in remote hamlet in tribal Lahaul and Spiti district located at an altitude of 10,354 ft in Himachal Pradesh.
Baljinder Singh from Punjab won the race by covering the distance in one hour, 19 minute and 26 seconds while Reeta Kumari won in the women's category, with timing of one hour, 36 minutes and two seconds.
"It's really tough to run at such a high altitude where oxygen is scarce. But practicing here is beneficial for improving the stamina of the players and athletes", said Baljinder.
Sports enthusiasts from Himachal, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab besides Indian army participated in the 21 km race at Keylong, the headquarter of Lahaul and Spiti on the eve of three-day tribal festival beginning today.
"It would now be an annual event during the tribal festival," senior officials said.
