​Khunjerab Pass Challenge

After successfully organizing numerous ski competitions and marathons, Pakistan Air Force has once again teamed up with Z Adventures & Serena Hotels to promote the sport of long-distance running. To this effect, the 2nd edition of the highest road race in the world under the PAF banner will take place at Khunjerab Pass on 6 August 2022.

International Runners: USD 895.00 per person. This includes all transportation, accommodation, meals, marathon entry fee, finisher's medal, T-shirt and sightseeing.

SCHEDULE
Tuesday 02 August 2022:  Arrival in Islamabad

Arrival of international athletes in Islamabad (507m).   Meet and greet by Pakistan Air Force officials who will escort athletes to the host hotel.   A short sightseeing tour of Islamabad will be arranged in the afternoon followed by race briefing and dinner in the evening.

Wednesday 03 August 2022: Flight to Gilgit

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.   All athletes will board the C130 Air Force plane from Islamabad to Gilgit (1,500m). The flight time is a little under one hour.   Overnight in Gilgit.   Lunch & dinner in Gilgit.
In case of bad weather, alternative arrangements will be made to drive athletes in special buses to Gilgit on the world-famous Karakoram Highway. The travel time by bus is between 10-12 hours. 
Thursday 04 August 2022: Gilgit to Sost

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.   Athletes will board special buses to travel from Gilgit (1,500m) to Sost (2,800m) for further acclimatisation.   On the way, we will break in Hunza (2,438m) and Attabad Lake (2,560m) for lunch and sightseeing.   Overnight accommodation and dinner in Sost.

Friday 05 August 2022: Sost to Khunjerab Pass

After breakfast, athletes will be driven to the Pakistan / China border for acclimatisation (4,693m).   Return back to Sost for lunch and free time.   Race briefing & bib distribution will be in the evening after dinner.

Saturday 06 August 2022: Ultra Marathon, Marathon & Half Marathon

Early breakfast followed by a 2-hour drive to Khunjerab Pass for race start.   All 3 events will start from Khunjerab Pass (Pakistan-China border).   Post-race dinner in Sost.   Overnight in Sost.
As this is a high-altitude event, we will have a 6.5 hour cut-off for the races.  The course will be patrolled by armed forces personnel.  After the last runner finishes, athletes will be escorted back to Sost.
Sunday 07 August 2022: Return to Islamabad

Athletes will take the early morning bus from Sost to Gilgit and then catch the afternoon flight back to Islamabad.   Lunch & dinner in Islamabad.

In case of bad weather, alternative arrangements will be made to travel back by bus. 
Monday 08 August 2022: Rest day and sightseeing in Islamabad

Sightseeing tours will be arranged in Islamabad for all foreign athletes.  Free time in the evening.   Breakfast, lunch & dinner at the hotel.

Tuesday 09 August 2022: Gala Dinner

Farewell gala dinner and award ceremony will take place at the race hotel in the evening.   Breakfast, lunch & dinner at the hotel.

Wednesday 10 August 2022: Flight back to home country

All international athletes will be dropped off to the airport to catch their return flight home.

​NOTE: As the world is currently gripped in the coronavirus pandemic, the event may be postponed or cancelled if the situation does not improve. Therefore, we strongly advise everyone not to book any flights until the event is confirmed. The entry fee will be due only when the event is confirmed to proceed as scheduled.