Stunning views, but not too much oxygen!! For anyone with a head for heights, how about trying the Everest Marathon – listed by the Guiness Book of Records as the highest marathon in the world. Exmouth Harrier Mark Thompson did just that, along with the 84 other runners (including the backup team of four) who completed the course. The race was won by Lok Bahadur Rokaya of Nepal in 4:12:21. Mark ran an excellent race to come 27th in 6:34:54. The Everest Marathon is a 25 day holiday in Nepal combining sightseeing in the capital Kathmandu, a hard trek to the Everest region, an ascent of Kala Pattar for the best views of Everest, and one of the most gruelling races in the world.
In order to acclimatise naturally to the high altitude, the race is preceded by a 16 day trek in the Everest region. This allows time for high altitude training under medical supervision. Before the race most people will have a chance to ascend both Gokyo Ri (5483m) and Kala Pattar (5623m) from where there are splendid views of Everest across the Khumbu glacier. After the race competitors are flown back to Kathmandu from the high altitude airstrip at Shyangboche.
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The race starts at Gorak Shep (5184m – 17,000 feet), just below Everest base camp, and finishes in the Sherpa 'capital' of Namche Bazaar (3446m). The course is a measured 26.2 miles over rough mountain trails with snow and ice, boulders, grass, sandy scree, stone staircases, trails through forest and exposed paths which contour the mountain sides. Although it is basically downhill, the trail undulates and there are two steep uphill sections. The race starts at 7 am and there are cut-off points at Tengboche monastery (14 miles - 12.45 pm) and Chorkhung (20 miles - 2.45 pm), just above Namche Bazaar. The last 6 miles, out to Thamo and back, are on an exhausting undulating trail. It is essential to finish by nightfall at 6.00 pm.
The race starts at Gorak Shep (5184m – 17,000 feet), just below Everest base camp, and finishes in the Sherpa 'capital' of Namche Bazaar (3446m). The course is a measured 26.2 miles over rough mountain trails with snow and ice, boulders, grass, sandy scree, stone staircases, trails through forest and exposed paths which contour the mountain sides. Although it is basically downhill, the trail undulates and there are two steep uphill sections. The race starts at 7 am and there are cut-off points at Tengboche monastery (14 miles - 12.45 pm) and Chorkhung (20 miles - 2.45 pm), just above Namche Bazaar. The last 6 miles, out to Thamo and back, are on an exhausting undulating trail. It is essential to finish by nightfall at 6.00 pm.
(LT)
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