YAK ATTACK - SHOWDOWN in the ANNAPURNA\'S
Yak Attack is Back
Phil Evans (Economical World Challenges) / 28.02.2008
Yak Attack, the MTB versus runner event in the Himalayas is in its second year. For 2008, Berghaus have come forward as main sponsors and will be supplying all the Nepali athletes with quality clothing to ensure that they are all adequately protected from the elements during this arduous 9 day event .Participant numbers have doubled from that of last year and the race has attracted many top class runners and riders, including the only female to represent Nepal in cycling at the Asian games, Nirjalla Tamrakar (Fluidforce). Also taking part are Phudorjee Lama Sherpa (Peregrine Adventures + First Ascent), runner up in the 2007 444km Himal race, Dipak Raj Rai (HeatmaxUK), winner of last years Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon, Nima Yangee, first female in the 292km Annapurna Mandala Trial, and Surendra Rai (Torq Ltd), on top form in 2007 and winner of the Kanchanjungha mountain bike race in Sikkim, India. From the UK, Philip Morris, Edward Lewis and Phil Evans will all be running, while Matt Hart of Torq Fitness will be representing the mountain bikers.
The race starting on March 8, circles the Annapurna range and entails 200km of pure mountain trails. Starting at just over 700m, competitors will climb over 5 days up to 5416m to cross the formidable Thorong La pass before dropping 4400m over 2 days to reach the finish at Beni.
Last years race was won by Everest Marathon veteran Mr Hari Rokaya. Hari’s winning time of 24hours and 5 minutes is believed to be a record for completing the Annpurna circuit and was practically 3 hours faster than his nearest rival, 6 times Nepali MTB national champion, Suresh Dulal.
This year it threatens to be a much closer affair and with the race being held a week later in the year to try and avoid any low lying snow cover, the mountain bikers may well take the King (or Queen) of the mountains title.
For full details of the race see www.yak-attack.co.uk. We aim to have regular reports on SleepMonsters during the race – if the satellite phones work as hoped!See All Event Posts
