The Everest Marathon
Everest – The Ultimate Runner’s High
Rob / 07.11.2003
If you’re going to aim high you may as well aim for the top – and it you’re a runner the Everest Marathon is the ultimate challenge It’s the classic 26.2 mile distance, but the course is unlike any other, starting at 5184m beside the Khumbu glacier just below Everest Base Camp in Nepal, the route follows trekking trails past a dazzling array of Himalayan peaks, including Nuptse, Lhotse, and the unmistakeable Ama Dablam. It runs through Sherpa villages and past monasteries, down to the town of Namche Bazaar at 3446m. It’s listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s highest marathon, and it’s by no means all downhill, there are some big climbs on the course.
The Everest Marathon is far more than just a single day of spectacular running though, it’s the only race in the world where it takes over 2 weeks to reach the start line! Runners, Nepalese staff, race medics and marshals, have all gathered in Kathmandu and today (Nov. 7th) they are flying up to the tiny airstrip of Lukla to begin their acclimatisation to altitude and their trek to the start line, ready for the race on Nov. 23rd.
They will trek and camp together, enjoying the scenery and culture of Nepal, and gradually increasing their training at altitude to prepare for the race. On the start line temperatures have been as low as –20C in the past, and at that altitude the air contains only 50% of the oxygen levels it does at sea level. Any exertion is difficult, let alone racing off across a frozen, glacial moraine.
This year is the 10th Everest Marathon. The first was an impromptu race run from Namche Bazaar to the Tengboche Monastery and back in 1985, then in 1987 the first race on the now established course was held. Despite setting the course in the worst snowstorms for 50 years and some dire predictions for medics and media who said it couldn’t and shouldn’t be done, the race was a huge success and was won in 4.53.10 by Stewart Dutfield.
That course has remained unchanged since then, and the record is now 3.50.23, held by Nepalese runner Hari Roka, who has won the race 3 times. (And it’s rumoured he is returning to race again this year.) The only year the full route wasn’t used was in 1995, when severe snow storms hit the area and a half marathon was staged on the lower part of the course.
Since it’s formation the race has been a charity, supporting grass roots projects in Nepal and the runners taking part have raised £400,000. This has been spent on schools, clean water, TB and Leprosy treatment, and helped build a dental clinic in Namche Bazaar and train Sherpa’s to run it.
This year there are 35 international competitors, plus a team of 6 Gurkhas from the British army and there is sure to be a strong local entry as well. We’ll tell you more about the race, and communications permitting, will bring you progress reports in the lead up to race day, then news of the marathon itself. See All Event Posts
