New Delhi: Indian ultra-distance runner Sufiya Sufi has entered the Guinness World Records after completing the gruelling Manali–Leh high-altitude run in under 100 hours, becoming the first woman to achieve the feat.

Sufi completed the roughly 470–480 km route in 98 hours and 27 minutes, crossing five high mountain passes in the Himalayas and recording an elevation gain of over 8,500 metres. The Manali–Leh stretch is regarded as one of the toughest endurance running routes in the world due to extreme altitude, unpredictable weather and thin oxygen levels.

The fastest run from Manali to Leh, across all five high passes. 🏔️🏃🏻‍♀️
A high altitude endurance running challenge with elevation gain of more than 8500 meters.

Target: 100 hours.
Finished in 98 hours 27 minutes.

The record was made and approved in 2023, but the Official… pic.twitter.com/IHArGML81V

— Sufiya Sufi Runner (@sufirunner) January 31, 2026

Manali–Leh high-altitude endurance route

The record, officially approved in 2023, recognises the fastest run by a woman on the Manali–Leh high-altitude endurance route. Sufi received her Guinness World Records certificate recently.

Sharing the update on social media platform X, Sufi said the certificate took time to reach her despite the record being validated earlier. “Target: 100 hours. Finished in 98 hours 27 minutes. The record was made and approved in 2023, but the official certificate decided to take the scenic route through delivery gateways and Indian Customs. Now it’s finally home,” she wrote.

Sufi receives praise online

The achievement was praised online, with netizens highlighting the physical and mental challenges posed by the high-altitude terrain. People also highlighted the demanding route.

Sufi is no stranger to setting records, she is also the fastest woman to run from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and completing the Golden Quadrilateral run, covering over 6,000 km across India.