Himalayan 100 a Success

News Release / 06.11.2009

The 19th Himalayan Run & Trek International 100 Mile Stage Race went off successfully between Oct. 26 – 30, 2009 in the Darjeeling area, the North-East Himalayan ranges. Adventurers from fifteen countries including USA, UK, Germany, Spain, South Africa, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Argentina, Mexico, Australia, Netherlands, Switzerland, Hong Kong, and Denmark took part in this novel event. The Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race has been distinguished as one of the world's most challenging and toughest endurance events with 'AAA' rating.

Gabriel Santamaria Manso (Spain) won with a time of 15 hours 22 minutes and received the Sant Nagpal Baba Memorial Gold Award with the first prize. The second and third positions went to James Antony Lowe (UK) with a time of 17 Hrs. 07 Minutes and Beungsik Ahn (Korea) with a time of 17 Hrs. 56 Minutes respectively. Among the females, Charlotte Louisa Penfold (UK) with an overall time of 18 Hrs. 43 Minutes won the first prize. In second position was Nahila Hernandez (Mexico) with a time of 21 Hrs. 24 Minutes and Tracey Robertson (UK) with a time of 22 Hrs. 57 Minutes completed the podium positions.

The oldest participant was Mr. Rex William Whittle from Hong Kong (69 years) while the award for environmental mission was presented to Ms. Hiroko Eovino from Japan. The race finish rate was an impressive 97.67%.

The course traversed vast tea gardens, isolated jungles and small villages. Participants also got the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular view of Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu (four out of five highest peaks in the world). According to the runners, the race trail is most beautiful and exciting. It also offers a rare and once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy the cold breezes that hover around the rhododendron forests which holds more than four thousand types of flowering plants and three hundred varieties of rare ferns.

Simultaneously the 15th Mt. Everest Challenge Marathon also took place on the third day of the Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race.

Mr. C. S. Pandey was the Race Director of the events. According to him, "eco-friendly adventure sport is the best way to enhance ones' spirits and brighten life. Becoming one with nature is the most satiating experience one can have, as it helps to keep the body and mind in perfect condition." The central ambition behind this eco adventure sport mission is to preserve the environment and the ancient heritage of the Indian Himalaya for future generations.

The 20th Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race will take place from October 23 - 30, 2010 (Eight Days/ seven Nights and from Bagdogra airport to Bagdogra airport), at Darjeeling, INDIA.