Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, May 31: In a significant achievement for the sporting community of Jammu & Kashmir, Sudhir Anand, an educator and endurance athlete from Jammu, has become the first runner from the Union Territory to successfully complete the inaugural edition of the NITI XTREME ULTRA, one of India’s toughest high-altitude ultra-marathons.
Organized in the picturesque Niti Valley of Uttarakhand, the ultra-marathon is held across terrain often described as the “Great Canyon of India.” The challenging 75-kilometre course takes participants through rugged Himalayan landscapes featuring steep ascents, deep gorges, remote mountain roads and breathtaking views of snow-clad peaks. Starting at an altitude of over 14,000 feet above sea level, the race tests runners’ physical endurance, mental resilience and adaptability to extreme weather conditions.
The inaugural edition proved especially demanding, with participants encountering snowfall, rain, freezing temperatures, strong winds and slippery mountain trails. Despite these challenges, Sudhir Anand completed the 75-km race in an impressive 9 hours and 33 minutes, becoming the first athlete from Jammu & Kashmir to achieve the feat.
Speaking after the race, Anand described the event as one of the toughest challenges of his running career. He said the combination of high altitude, snow, rain and technical terrain tested every aspect of endurance, while the spectacular beauty of the Niti Valley made the experience memorable.
A founder member of the Jammu Midnight Marathon, Anand has played a key role in promoting endurance sports through Team Real Time Sports. His previous achievements include completing the Khardung La Challenge 72 km in Ladakh and becoming the first runner from J&K to finish the Silk Route Ultra 122 km.
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