The Everest Marathon
The Journey Begins
Candice Leah / 08.11.2005
The race is the classic 26.2 mile distance, but it starts at 17,000 feet altitude and finishes as the Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar. In this first instalment Candice describes how the runners fly into Kathmandu, and the up into the Himalaya to begin their acclimatisation and training.
Day 1: 3 Nov
Arrived Kathmandu after a stress-free journey from London with no delays.
Our drive from the airport to the hotel was our first taste of Nepal with cows wandering free in the road, cars and other vehicles playing dodgems on the tiny streets. We passed another bus jam-packed with smiling, singing,tamboreen-playing Nepalese celebrating the last day of the Tihar festival. We labelled it the 'kareoke' bus.
Our hotel stood like a palace on the edge of the busy city; illuminated against the dark sky, it looked instantly welcoming. Affter a great dinner of various curries, cakes and ice cream we met our team leaders and doctors who briefed us about hand-washing, hygiene and the dreaded altitude illness, the one thing we all fear.
Day 2: 4 Nov
Our first full day and a chance to explore Kathmandu.
In the morning there were meetings for the three groups: Early Birds, Late Birds and Cuckoos. We are with the Late Birds: Adrian is our leader and John and Kate our doctors. They gave us more information about hygiene and altitude illness, it all sounds a bit worrying, but we just have to careful and cautious.
In the afternoon we visited Swayambhunath temple where I was more fascinated by the monkeys than anything else: their characteristics are so human! The temple was packed with both native people and visitors and the smell of incense hung in the air. Then we went into the city area called Thamel. The tiny, narrow streets were filled with minute shops crammed with every product you can think of! We also got a chance to see the 8 year old Living Hindu Goddess who showed her little face at the window of her palace for 5 seconds, just like any other mischievous child.
The Clayton lads went on their own city tour but with extra highlights like a dead cow floating down the river, a relay up and down the 365 steps to the Monkey Temple and a rickshaw ride. Later we had a fantastic fun, musical night in the bar including, of course, the Clayton team's theme tune "Amaraillo" which has helped us through a year of fund-raising and blared out from our van at many a fell race.
Day 3: 5 Nov
Some of us were definitely suffering from lack of sleep and over-indulgence when the wake-up call came at 4 am.
The flight to Lukla was smooth from the start. We had anticipated long delays but good weather meant that we were on the runway by 6.30. Five 16-seater planes were required for our group. It was an amazing experience flying straight into the Himalayas and I have never seen anything as spectacular in my life.
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