Everest Marathon information

For information on the race itself go to www.everestmarathon.org.uk

Background information

Runner watched by monks during the Everest Marathon This race is an experience of a lifetime and combines a month long fully supported holiday trekking in Nepal in the spectacular Everest region. It is extremely well organised and excellent value for money. The race entry fee covers the cost of most of the accommodation, food and flights within Nepal and you get a very high standard of medical support for this also. It works out cheaper than the average organised trip to Nepal and you get so much more in terms of a really unique experience where you will build special friendships as you set out to battle the common goal of The Everest Marathon. The interaction with the local people and the 150 sherpas, porters and cooks that accompany the group is in itself a very enjoyable experience.

Cathy Lewsley, past Kepler Challenge Committee member during the Everest Marathon I would recommend this trip to anyone who has completed the ASICS Kepler Challenge and with some luck you would definitely be capable of achieving it. It was honestly the best experience of my life so far.

I'll most likely be off and doing it again this year!

Cathy Lewsley – 273rd = 9:10:06 Kepler Challenge 2008

The course

Start

The start line is at Gorak Shep 5184m (17,000 feet), close to Everest Base Camp in Nepal.

Finish

The finish is at the Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar at 3446m (11,300 feet) and the course is a measured 42 km (26.2 miles) over rough mountain trails.

2012 ASICS Kepler everest runners

The competition will now be on once again for the fastest combined time from 2011 Everest Marathon and 2012 Kepler Challenge. Whilst most will be here to check out the scenery and see if this event matches up to the same challenge that running the altitude marathon presented, it includes a place getter from the Everest race. Bruce Hall of Scotland was 1st Veteran in the Everest event and also 1st Non-Nepali runner.

Can he keep pace with the Kepler leaders?

He will be joined by fellow Scot Hamish McDonald who also competed in 2007 Everest and 2008 Kepler Challenge events. Sunita Tummalapalli of India recently finished 1st Woman in a North India Himalayan Mountain Marathon. Other competitors for this will be; Stewart Ingram, Trish McCarthy and Denise Turnstall of England and winner of the 2010-2011 Everest – Kepler combined title Martin O’Malley of Queenstown NZ.

2011 Everest Marathon

Nine intrepid New Zealanders were involved in 2011 Everest Marathon of which seven competed. Unusually warm temperatures reeked havoc on the flights into the region as a result of poor visibility but made for far easier camping en route to the start line. It probably also contributed to making conditions favourable for the 11year race record held by Hari Rokaya to fall with a new time of 3 hours, 47 minutes and 38 seconds by Ram Bhandari.

The Nepalese runners proving once again that they are super strong and taking out the first 20 places of the race inclusive of the 1st female Chhechee Sherpa in a time of 5:06:15

The first two Non Nepali runners were also veterans, Bruce Hall of Scotland in a time of 5:55:47 and Phil Grimes of England. Third place was New Zealand's own Warwick Creasey. The first non Nepali female was Frances Fox of UK 6:07:39.

There were 4 people competing for the fastest combined time between the 2010 Kepler Challenge and 2011 Everest Marathon, Helen MacDonald of Australia, Martin O'Malley, Ken Hardman and Maureen Archer all from New Zealand.

Martin won out with a time of 6:51:23

There is huge interest from around the world of the 2011 Everest Marathon competitors to come to the 2012 Kepler Challenge some to compete for the fastest combined time from these two races and some to come and check out our race and neighbourhood.

The first year - a short story

A new race within a race was happening out there on the Kepler Challenge this year. Following the twinning of the Kepler Challenge with a similar style event with degree of difficulty and time it takes to complete, 17 competitors turned up to take on the Kepler after missing last years race to take part in The Everest Marathon in Nepal. A new prize had been offered up to the fastest combined time between both races. The idea was engineered by UK runner, Everest Marathon website designer and group leader Mark Hawker, and former Kepler Challenge Committee Organiser Cathy Lewsley whilst out on a training run on the Kepler track in 2006 with the aim of promoting both races on the international circuit of great races to do.

Mark Hawker intervieweed during the race

Mark Hawker interviewed during the race

There were three main contenders for the prize Sam Baker from Horowhenua, Simon Maister from Christchurch and David Brinson also from Christchurch who finished the Everest Marathon in that order. It had been a closely contended race in Nepal with only10 minutes separating them. David who had won the 1st Veterans prize in Nepal returned to give them a run for their money and whilst there was only 16 minutes between them this time it went well in Dave’s favour. He can now sit back and enjoy a luxury cruise in Doubtful Sound on board the Real Journeys overnight boat ‘The Navigator’ which was his prize for his efforts as he took out the winning place.

All the competitors agreed when asked on the finish line by Noel Walker, the commentator, that it was just as hard to complete the Kepler Challenge as the Everest race. For most it was taking up the challenge rather than the prize that had attracted them.

Eight of the competitors came from far of places such as Canada, USA, England and Scotland.

All agreed the scenery was as spectacular as Nepal and many stayed on to do some traveling before and after.

Everest Marathon Race Organiser – Diana Penny- Sherpani was there to present the prize and threw out a new challenge to offer a fastest combined time prize between the 2008 Kepler Challenge and 2009 Everest Marathon to be presented in Nepal.

commonly used pages

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ASICS Kepler Challenge

Everest Marathon information

Background information

The course

Start

Finish

News

Whio! That was a long day

2012 ASICS Kepler Challenge – Prize giving talk

1. Introduction

The 2012 most improved

Armstrong wins 2012 ASICS Kepler Challenge for third time

Track conditions Labour weekend

Pages

2012 ASICS Kepler everest runners

2011 Everest Marathon

The first year - a short story

Look out for kepler on