Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race & The Mount Everest Challenge Marathon
Day 4 - Tales on Tarmac
Adam Rose / 23.10.2014
Day 4 started hard. Although the shortest stage of the event, runners immediately had to tackle a long downhill on tarmac. In itself, not that difficult, but coming on the back of the nasty descent of the marathon, it was more than a little
challenging for the quads.
Unfortunately, right from the get go, Georgia Wood (UK) had to pull out. Although she had won every stage thus far in the women’s competition, her knees had taken such a battering that it wasn’t wise to continue. She’d arrived on the starting line all taped up, and walking stiff-legged, almost like an athletic zombie, but within the first kilometre, it proved too much.
The rest of the field spread out quickly, following the famous switchbacks down the hill. With glorious sunshine, insects and birds battling for vocal supremacy, and no humidity to speak of, it was idyllic.
Gabriel Seiberth took the lead again, closely pursued by Ignacio Jurado. Stefan Schlett overtook David Jacobson en route, with Sonja Braun taking the spot previously held by Georgia.
The course wound down to a bridge that crossed the Lodhoma river, then rose as sharply to a finish point half way to the next summit, at Palmajua.
The results were as above, with Gabriel completing in 1:48, Ignacio only one minute behind him, then Stefan 4 minutes after. Sonja’s finish time was 2:15, followed by Dawn Long (USA) in 2:29, and Bryony McCormick with 2:32.
For the first time, all runners bar Georgia finished the stage. Henry Peck (USA) was the last across the line, but was warmly congratulated by all. He’d struggled to match the pace of the other runners on the previous days, having to shortcourse each time, but this time he stuck it out.
Four walkers also finished the stage, in roughly 4.5 hrs. While not given as much attention as the runners, since they cannot cover the 100 miles within the 5 days, their efforts were no less commendable. Margaret Griffin (USA), Monika Wodzien (Germany), Rhiannon Turner (UK) and Doreen Bender (USA) comprised the foursome who made the finish. Their race is, in some ways, preferable, as they have time to drink in the views. One runner has already commented on the desire to return in a walking capacity, to do just that. See All Event Posts
