Lamjei is a popular annual athletic event in Manipur. The competitors are restricted to the pannas ( Revenue / Administrative Units). The length of the race varies, though usually it is half a mile.

The first part of the race consists of heats - two pannas at a time. The winners of the heats run again, till each athlete has competed. The ultimate winner is the one who wins the race of the year, but the winner can be declared only, when he touches the kanglasha or the dragon inside the palace enclosure. Winners of previous Lamjeis are allowed to participate again in the contest.

All the winners are exempt from compulsory duties of state for specified periods of time or for the rest of the athlete's life, determined by the skill and excellence of the athlete under consideration.