The Everest Marathon
The Thamo Loop
Adrian Davis / 23.11.2011
Spirits were high after two nights acclimatising in the Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar and views of Tamserku and Ama Dablam greeted us as we stopped at the helipad to take in the view of the village perched high on the mountainside.
The athletes from 19 countries covered the 6 mile out and back loop to Thamo village school and the mani wall which is the turnaround point on the race. All did it within a few hours, many walking to avoid adverse reactions to the high altitude at this early stage.
These are the last 6 miles of the course, and every race the reaction to them is the same; on this first walk the ups and downs seem gentle – come the race they seem steep and never-ending. And on the race the 3 miles back to the finish always seem longer than the 3 mile out!
The more experienced athletes ran on and enjoyed the beautiful forests with drooping lichens, gentians and juniper along route. Mount Kwangde dominates the scene on the western side of the valley making a breathtaking setting to the loop.
Yak trains commonly use this route and some beautiful and frisky white yaks seemed to want to join in with the runners today.
There are now only 11 days to go to the race, during which we will trek slowly to higher altitudes giving everyone the best chance to acclimatise.
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