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I ran the Ladakh Trail to Heaven – Edition Zero: The Pioneer Edition, and it was one of the most incredible races I’ve ever done. Everything was perfect — from the organization to the course itself.

Running at high altitude was a fantastic experience. For me, arriving in Leh a week before the race was really important to train and adapt. I truly appreciated the huge effort the organizers put in to make everything perfect for us.

The landscapes were absolutely breathtaking. I loved spending time in Leh — such a beautiful mountain city — and crossing the high passes at 5,000 meters. I loved every single moment of this adventure.

There are races you run. Others, you live. And then there are those that mark you forever. Ladakh Trail to Heaven is one of them.

I have already taken part in many ultramarathons and crossings, but what I found here went beyond distance, elevation gain, or altitude. It was a complete immersion in an extreme yet deeply human setting.

One Hundred managed to turn the brutal challenge of the Himalayas into a warm experience, built on care, camaraderie, and mutual respect. The two Joãos, from the first to the last minute, showed their love for the event, overcame unimaginable challenges to make it happen, and still maintained the best possible energy.

The race director, Chetan Sehgal, showed rare dedication, surrounded by a team that seemed hand-picked: every person we met along the way brought good energy, a helping hand, and a smile. Even the owner of the resort where we stayed—wonderful, full of flowers, with trees loaded with ripe apricots and apples, and a beautiful vegetable garden. The rooms, like chalets, were hidden among gardens bursting with flowers. She even prepared our meals with unforgettable care.

The atmosphere among the athletes was one of total respect and mutual support. At every checkpoint, every glance seemed to say: “we’re in this together.” In a race where altitude, weather, and terrain leave no room for distractions, this human connection made all the difference.

Ladakh is beautiful, but also relentless. High passes above 5,000 meters, freezing nights, hot days, and air so thin that every step must be taken with awareness. For me, it wasn’t a day to cross the finish line—but it was a day to learn. Because in the mountains, knowing when to stop is just as important as knowing when to go on.

I return home with new limits, new tools, and a renewed perspective on myself. With the certainty that every minute in this race was worth it. With each edition, One Hundred outdoes itself. And Ladakh, with its unique level of commitment, respect, and connection, is now forever engraved in my story.

Thank you to everyone who made this experience possible.

The Trail to Heaven absolutely lived up to its name — and then some.

The scenery was breathtaking, with vast Himalayan landscapes, towering peaks, and river valleys that made every step worth it. The organisation was excellent, and I have to give a huge shout-out to the incredible Sherpa crew and the Boots & Crampons team for their support, logistics, and constant good vibes along the way.

I think retaining course markings in the future is a great idea — combined with a GPX file, they make navigation far easier, especially over such varied and technical terrain. And varied it was: steep climbs, rocky descents, snow, loose scree, and multiple river crossings — this course threw everything at us. It’s easily the toughest I’ve ever tackled, and I can see it becoming one of the most (if not the most) difficult races in the world.

The only thing I’d flag for future editions is the final section. There were a few tricky parts involving climbing and walking along narrow ledges, and after 32+ hours on the move, my concentration was definitely tested. The river level was quite high this year — fine for me, but for shorter athletes like Francesca, some crossings would have been almost impossible without assistance. It might be worth having Sherpa stationed at each river crossing, and perhaps a few more in that final section to ensure safety.

Overall, this was an unforgettable adventure and an event I feel privileged to have been part of. A massive thanks to the team at One Hundred for creating such a visionary race — I can only imagine the work that went into it, and I’m so grateful to have been one of the pioneers.