Acclimatisation is imperative and important if you are planning to participate and run the
Spiti Marathon. It depends entirely on one’s personal body condition as some acclimatise
very fast and some take several days. We strongly recommend arriving in
Sumdo/Kaza/Giu/Tabo at least a week to 10 days ahead of race day so that you are well
acclimatised for the race. The earlier you arrive, the better it is for your run!
Spiti Avengers Challenge – participants are advised to arrive at least 10 days in advance.
For Half Marathon and Marathon – participants are advised to arrive at least 7 days in advance.
For 10 km Run – participants are advised to arrive at least 5 days in advance.
High Altitude sickness occurs when your body does not adjust to the altitude due to lack of
oxygen. It is common to feel light headed when you arrive in Spiti as the air is thin and
rarified. Following the rules of acclimatisation, you need to take things easy in order to
acclimatise properly and not rush around. On arrival, it is imperative to take “complete rest”
on Day 1. You need to sleep on arrival, go slow, not move around too much and not go to the
high points around Spiti. It is also important to keep yourself hydrated so drink plenty of
water, soups and avoid alcohol for the first few days. Diamox, a diuretic, is taken by most
people from the previous night before arriving in Spiti. Those allergic to sulphur drugs should
consult with the doctor for an alternative. Serious conditions of altitude sickness is about
fluid retention in the lungs (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema) and High altitude cerebral
edema (fluid retention in the brain), taking a diuretic aids the process of acclimatisation. It is
not a medicine for altitude sickness but an aid to help you acclimatise.
With proper acclimatisation, altitude should not be an issue which is the reason we
recommend participants to arrive at least a week ahead of race day to prepare themselves.
With so much to see and do in Spiti Valley, you can spend several days and weeks visiting
the various sites, enjoying activities like trekking and Star gazing and at the same time
practicing for Race Day! So Participants, come early, enjoy this awesome place and run for
Spiti Valley!