New Delhi, Sept. 13 -- A familiar sight greets Disket Dolma, 27, each day when she gets to work at Metta Cafe in Leh. Adorning the ceiling is a row of multi-coloured bibs that announces the exploits of endurance athletes who've completed various races across Ladakh. Though she doesn't make much of it, her colleagues throw in a reminder every now and then-they want her medal hanging there soon.

It's the kind of pressure that comes as the defending champion of the Ladakh Marathon. After finishing as runner-up in 2022 and 2023 behind her training mate Jigmet Dolma, 32, who also holds the course record (3 hours, 18 minutes, 56 seconds), Disket came up with a mighty effort to win last year's race by over 25 minutes. Her performance this year-...