Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race
Into the Foothills
Rob Howard / 23.10.2010
Contestants are now arriving in the roadside hill station of Mirik for the start of the 5 day Himalayan 100 mile stage race, including the Mt. Everest Challenge Marathon on the third day, much of which takes place above 3000m. A few early arrivals have already checked into the simple tourist bungalow above the town, with the remaining contestants due to arrive this afternoon, when the pre-race briefing will take place.The race is organised by a company called Himalayan Run and Trek, who have pioneered adventure sports activities in the Indian hills over many years. The Race Director is Mr. C.S. Pandey and on the walls of the bungalow there are pictures of him with several prime ministers over the past decade, and receiving national tourism awards for his work on the race. It is certainly a very international affair and there are dozens of photocopied magazine articles along the walls in many languages. Last year there were athletes on the podiums from Spain, the UK, Korea and Mexico, and this year there is once again an international mix of runners. (I’ve not seen the entry list yet so will come back to who is here racing later on.)
Those I have met so far, from the USA, UK and South America, have had some long journeys and are glad to have finally arrived at race HQ. All have passed through Delhi then taken another 90 minute flight northeast to the tiny airport of Bagdogra in West Bengal. If the noise and bustle of Delhi was a shock to them the 2 hour drive into the hills from Bagdogra to Mirik will have been a real eye opener. The roads of rural India are alive with activity; cattle and goats graze everywhere, children laugh and play on tall bamboo swings, shops are open to the street and packed with goods of all kinds while their owners sat outside waiting for trade, and all the rivers and pools have washerwomen busy at work and children splashing. Piles of litter lie everywhere and open drains run down the roadside. The sights, sounds and smells of India can take some getting used to.
The drive to Mirik to competitors from the plains into the foothills, and it did not take long for the road to turn uphill towards the hill town of Darjeeling. This is tea growing country and much of the way the views were out across team plantations and estates. On the plains the low, leafy bushes are shaded by tall trees but on the steep hillsides they are open to the sun and rain, and make up part of the lush green covering that includes stands of bamboo and scrub forest. In places there were outbreaks of black umbrellas in the plantations, signalling where the pickers were at work, and small groups of these could be seen walking along the road. All were women, carrying their brollies, had wicker baskets on their backs with a large chopping knife in, and were wearing wellington boots!
The road climbed and climbed, up to Mirek at 5,800 feet above sea level. The town is about two-thirds of the way up to Darjeeling, is known for growing oranges and cardamom and is set beside by the small Sumendu Lake. It looks like a roadside tea stop which is now being developed into a small hill station for the growing Indian tourism market. (There are some hindu temples here in the woods on the far side of the lake, and an impressive Buddhist monastery stands above the new town.)
For the runners it was journey’s end and the start of their trail running adventure in the Himalayan foothills and after tonight’s briefing they will have a day to recover before starting the race. (Though most will take a tour into Darjeeling to see the town, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and the famous toy train.) It is worth pointing out here that the race is held in India, while Everest is in Nepal and is about 100 miles distant, so calling day 3 of the race the ‘Everest Challenge Marathon’ is a bit misleading, even if it is good for marketing!. You can see the summit of Everest from the race trails in places, but it is very distant, and it is the much nearer mount Kanchenjunga which dominates the skyline and creates a stunning backdrop to the race.
[The race should not be confused with The Everest Marathon, which takes place in Nepal , starting near Everest base camp and is run on one day over the marathon distance, at a much higher altitude.]See All Event Posts
