The Everest Marathon
Nepali Athletes Dominate Everest Marathon 2011
Adrian Davis (Everest Marathon) / 04.12.2011
The marathon started at 0630am on 2nd December with 22 Nepalis and 66 overseas competitors. The unusually warm weather at the start made the race a bit more pleasant this year, only -4C… even tempting some people to start in shorts and T-shirts.
The amazing Nepalis sprinted across the flat dusty start line to the first rocky moraine, a steep climb of 50 metres which immediately plunged most of us into oxygen debt.
It was absurd how far the Nepalis ran away from the overseas contingent, the first 3 miles to Lobuche being covered in little under 26 minutes on this amazingly rough terrain.
The sun made a brief appearance near Pheriche and then really warmed things up at Pangboche before the climb to Tengboche monastery at the half way point. I was really feeling the altitude as I had picked up a cold the day before the race and I knew many competitors were suffering the same effects of a dry chesty cough and blocked nose.
As the race drew out the temperature picked up to the mid 20’s by Tengboche where I was caught by a few running Nepali running (who were on the phone while they ran) and a few of the overseas competitors. The rice pudding and tea at the aid station was excellent and the help encouraged us on.
The climb to Sanasa was tough after the long descent over the Dudh Koshi Nadi river.There was now no sign of any Nepali runners but greetings at the next aid station were wonderful.The deceptive undulating path to Chhorkung above Namche Bazaar the 20 mile mark spurred people on but the last 6 miles of the hilly Thamo loop was tough.
The eventual winner was Ram Kumar raj Bhandari in a time of 3 hours 47 minutes, a new record. The first lady was Chhe Chee Sherpa in a time of 5 hours 6 minutes.The overseas runners endeavoured to the finish with Bruce Hall the first home in 5 hours 47 minutes. Francis Fox was the first lady home in 6 hours 7 minutes.
Well done to all competitors and finishers.
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