Sikkim’s Tika Mangar excels in Uttarakhand Ultra Trail Run

GANGTOK, : Tika M. Mangar, an untrained endurance athlete and mother of two, born in Wok, Namchi, Sikkim, has achieved a remarkable milestone by securing third position at the Surya Devbhoomi Challenge 2.0 in Uttarakhand.

Competing in the “40+ Women” category, she brought immense pride to the State with her outstanding performance. The race tested extreme endurance, as Tika successfully completed a gruelling 113 km ultra trail run at an altitude of over 13,000 feet, a press release informs.

What makes her accomplishment even more inspiring is that she began her journey in endurance running less than one year ago. Prior to this, she secured third position at the Golden Pagoda Marathon in Arunachal Pradesh and second position at the Tsongmo Ultra Run in Sikkim - making this her third major achievement.

The Surya Devbhoomi Challenge 2.0, organised by the Indian Army and the Uttarakhand Government, concluded with a spectacular grand finale at HNBGU, Srinagar, celebrating courage, endurance, and the unstoppable human spirit.

Set against the towering Himalayas, participants pushed their limits, conquered fear, and proved that true victory is forged through courage, determination and discipline. More than just a competition, the challenge has evolved into a movement of resilience, adventure, and nation-building, inspiring youth to embrace the ethos of “Nation First.”

The closing ceremony was graced by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Anindya Sengupta, GOC-in-C Central Command, who honoured the champions who rose above the challenge and etched their names in Devbhoomi’s legacy.

Tika Mangar’s success at the national level sends a powerful message that, with determination and hard work, even mothers from Sikkim can achieve their biggest dreams, the release mentions.