Tenzing - Hillary Everest Marathon (THEM), also known in short as Everest Marathon was started in honor of Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary - the first people to stand on the top of the world, at the zenith of Mt. Everest (8,848m) on 29th May, 1953.
The idea of a marathon at the base of the Everest was the brainchild of Jan Turner who came up with it in the year 1985 on an expedition to the Everest Base Camp. Everest Marathon may have had a humble beginning, but today it's recognized worldwide, with enthusiastic trail runners from all corners of the world, flocking to Nepal to be a part of this event.
The Himalayan nation hosts Everest Marathon on May 29 every year, continuing successfully since 2003. Hundreds of participants from over 20 different countries come for the marathon every year.
THEM is also the highest marathon in the world, which takes its runners to the altitudes as high as 5,300m above sea-level. The highest altitude is 5,545m at the top of Kala Patthar, with awe-inspiring 360 degree views of the majestic Himalayas - Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori including the world's highest - Mt. Everest.
This marathon is only for the trained and experienced runners who run cross-country trails and longer routes. But that does not mean you cannot still come to witness this spectacular event and cheer the runners on.
GETTING TO THE STARTING LINE
To get to the starting point of the Everest Marathon, participants first have to trek all the way to the Everest Base Camp, which means you'll have the opportunity to experience trekking in Nepal as well - a 14 days trek to be exact.
The trek is through Sagarmatha National Park with its unique landscape and wildlife. Be on the lookout for some! Now this is what I call - killing two birds with one stone.
Participants of the marathon, therefore, have to be in Nepal three weeks before the race starts, to clear all the formalities, to prepare for the rough terrains of this Himalayan country, and obviously to trek all the way to the starting point!
Runners can opt for either camping or staying at lodges while on the trek to the Everest Base Camp, or they can mix it up like in the base camp as there are no lodges there.
On the trek, runners get to visit monasteries like Pangboche Monastery, a 17th century gompa, and also the oldest one in Khumbu, along with Tengboche Monastery which is the largest gompa in the region. Exploring these unique sites that are a reflection of Tibetan Buddhism, with their stunning architecture and artifacts on display add to the overall experience of an already great adventure.
Before and/or after the trek to Everest Base Camp, participants also have a chance to absorb the Nepali culture, traditions, architecture, arts and crafts. Everest Marathon participants are taken on a tour of the world heritage sites in the valley to mystical places such as the Pashipatinath Temple, Swayambhunath and Boudhanath along with Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Kathmandu Durbar Square, all in the compact capital, Kathmandu itself.
Running Down Everest Base Camp
Not that the view of the Kathmandu valley from the flight isn't incredible, but the view from the flight to Lukla with the great Himalayas certainly will be just as spectacular, if not more.
For the faint of hearts, landing at the Tenzing - Hillary Airport aka Lukla Airport will be as much of an adventure as the trek to Everest Base Camp itself. This part of the journey will get your adrenaline pumping in no time.
The marathon starts from the Everest Base Camp and ends at Namche Bazaar covering a distance of 42 KM. This means you get to race down all the way from the bottom of the Everest! The trail is downhill for a major part of the marathon, but there are some uphill paths too, specially two steep ones. The path for the marathon is the trekking trail itself.
Everest Marathon is done in such high altitudes that there needs to be extra attention given to the health of the participants. For this, there are water stations, rest stops and medical check posts built-in varying distances on the marathon trail.
There is even an emergency evacuation facility for the ones who can no longer participate in the marathon due to health issues or injuries. A lot of thought is also given to the security on the race and a number of marshals will be seen on duty along with marathon guides to assist the runners if needed.
Additionally, electronic wrist bands are provided to all runners to keep track of them on the trail. Before the start of the marathon, all the participants are checked by professional medical teams to see if they are fit to take part in the race after the trek. Ice and snow on the trail add to its difficulty level besides the obvious high altitude.
Besides the expeditions who are looking to climb the highest mountain in the world, other trekking groups are not allowed to stay overnight at the Everest Base Camp site. So, spending a night at the bottom of the Khumbu Icefall is just one of the unique things, participants of the Everest Marathon get to relish.
There are pretty amazing world records set on Tenzing - Hillary Everest Marathon, a prominent one being the highest marathon in Guinness Book of World Records, itself. Another is set by Deepak Rai, a Nepali runner in the year 2006 AD for the shortest time - 3 hours, 28 minutes and 27 seconds. And for a foreign runner the record for fastest time is 4 hours 50 minutes and 10 seconds by Antoine Bonfils of France. Similarly, Timothy Watson made the record for shortest time among his fellow countrymen of UK, with 5 hours 45 minutes in 2014.
For Tenzing - Hillary Everest Marathon participation, runners have to sign up for the extra-ordinary event here.
Besides, the Tenzing - Hillary Everest Marathon, there is another event popularly known as the Everest Ultra Marathon which started from 2010. The Everest Ultra Marathon involves covering a distance of 65 km starting from Gorak Shep and ending at Lukla.
This one is definitely for the hardcore runners!
Tenzing - Hillary Everest Marathon & Everest Ultra Marathon Facts -
Highest Marathon in the World!
Held on May 29 every year
Highest Altitude: 5545m Kala Patthar
Days: 1 Day
Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon
Start Line: Everest Base Camp
Finish Line: Namche Bazaar
Marathon Distance: 42km
Everest Ultra Marathon
Start Line: Gorak Shep
Finish Line: Lukla
Marathon Distance: 65km
Even though Tenzing - Hillary Everest Marathon and Everest Ultra Marathon may not be for everyone, extreme sports enthusiasts and trekkers alike can still go on an adventurous journey and create unforgettable memories together in the high Himalayas.
The idea of a marathon at the base of the Everest was the brainchild of Jan Turner who came up with it in the year 1985 on an expedition to the Everest Base Camp. Everest Marathon may have had a humble beginning, but today it's recognized worldwide, with enthusiastic trail runners from all corners of the world, flocking to Nepal to be a part of this event.
The Himalayan nation hosts Everest Marathon on May 29 every year, continuing successfully since 2003. Hundreds of participants from over 20 different countries come for the marathon every year.
THEM is also the highest marathon in the world, which takes its runners to the altitudes as high as 5,300m above sea-level. The highest altitude is 5,545m at the top of Kala Patthar, with awe-inspiring 360 degree views of the majestic Himalayas - Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori including the world's highest - Mt. Everest.
This marathon is only for the trained and experienced runners who run cross-country trails and longer routes. But that does not mean you cannot still come to witness this spectacular event and cheer the runners on.
GETTING TO THE STARTING LINE
To get to the starting point of the Everest Marathon, participants first have to trek all the way to the Everest Base Camp, which means you'll have the opportunity to experience trekking in Nepal as well - a 14 days trek to be exact.
The trek is through Sagarmatha National Park with its unique landscape and wildlife. Be on the lookout for some! Now this is what I call - killing two birds with one stone.
Participants of the marathon, therefore, have to be in Nepal three weeks before the race starts, to clear all the formalities, to prepare for the rough terrains of this Himalayan country, and obviously to trek all the way to the starting point!
Runners can opt for either camping or staying at lodges while on the trek to the Everest Base Camp, or they can mix it up like in the base camp as there are no lodges there.
On the trek, runners get to visit monasteries like Pangboche Monastery, a 17th century gompa, and also the oldest one in Khumbu, along with Tengboche Monastery which is the largest gompa in the region. Exploring these unique sites that are a reflection of Tibetan Buddhism, with their stunning architecture and artifacts on display add to the overall experience of an already great adventure.
Before and/or after the trek to Everest Base Camp, participants also have a chance to absorb the Nepali culture, traditions, architecture, arts and crafts. Everest Marathon participants are taken on a tour of the world heritage sites in the valley to mystical places such as the Pashipatinath Temple, Swayambhunath and Boudhanath along with Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Kathmandu Durbar Square, all in the compact capital, Kathmandu itself.
Running Down Everest Base Camp
Not that the view of the Kathmandu valley from the flight isn't incredible, but the view from the flight to Lukla with the great Himalayas certainly will be just as spectacular, if not more.
For the faint of hearts, landing at the Tenzing - Hillary Airport aka Lukla Airport will be as much of an adventure as the trek to Everest Base Camp itself. This part of the journey will get your adrenaline pumping in no time.
The marathon starts from the Everest Base Camp and ends at Namche Bazaar covering a distance of 42 KM. This means you get to race down all the way from the bottom of the Everest! The trail is downhill for a major part of the marathon, but there are some uphill paths too, specially two steep ones. The path for the marathon is the trekking trail itself.
Everest Marathon is done in such high altitudes that there needs to be extra attention given to the health of the participants. For this, there are water stations, rest stops and medical check posts built-in varying distances on the marathon trail.
There is even an emergency evacuation facility for the ones who can no longer participate in the marathon due to health issues or injuries. A lot of thought is also given to the security on the race and a number of marshals will be seen on duty along with marathon guides to assist the runners if needed.
Additionally, electronic wrist bands are provided to all runners to keep track of them on the trail. Before the start of the marathon, all the participants are checked by professional medical teams to see if they are fit to take part in the race after the trek. Ice and snow on the trail add to its difficulty level besides the obvious high altitude.
Besides the expeditions who are looking to climb the highest mountain in the world, other trekking groups are not allowed to stay overnight at the Everest Base Camp site. So, spending a night at the bottom of the Khumbu Icefall is just one of the unique things, participants of the Everest Marathon get to relish.
There are pretty amazing world records set on Tenzing - Hillary Everest Marathon, a prominent one being the highest marathon in Guinness Book of World Records, itself. Another is set by Deepak Rai, a Nepali runner in the year 2006 AD for the shortest time - 3 hours, 28 minutes and 27 seconds. And for a foreign runner the record for fastest time is 4 hours 50 minutes and 10 seconds by Antoine Bonfils of France. Similarly, Timothy Watson made the record for shortest time among his fellow countrymen of UK, with 5 hours 45 minutes in 2014.
For Tenzing - Hillary Everest Marathon participation, runners have to sign up for the extra-ordinary event here.
Besides, the Tenzing - Hillary Everest Marathon, there is another event popularly known as the Everest Ultra Marathon which started from 2010. The Everest Ultra Marathon involves covering a distance of 65 km starting from Gorak Shep and ending at Lukla.
This one is definitely for the hardcore runners!
Tenzing - Hillary Everest Marathon & Everest Ultra Marathon Facts -
Highest Marathon in the World!
Held on May 29 every year
Highest Altitude: 5545m Kala Patthar
Days: 1 Day
Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon
Start Line: Everest Base Camp
Finish Line: Namche Bazaar
Marathon Distance: 42km
Everest Ultra Marathon
Start Line: Gorak Shep
Finish Line: Lukla
Marathon Distance: 65km
Even though Tenzing - Hillary Everest Marathon and Everest Ultra Marathon may not be for everyone, extreme sports enthusiasts and trekkers alike can still go on an adventurous journey and create unforgettable memories together in the high Himalayas.
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