KATHMANDU, April 10: The organizer of Everest Diamond Jubilee Celebration 2013 on Wednesday said they have completed all the preparations for the Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon and added a parallel event, the 60-km Everest Extreme Marathon, to mark the 60th anniversary of the first successful Everest expedition in 1953.
Himalaya Expeditions has been organizing the Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon every year on May 29, the day Tenzing Sherpa and Edmund Hillary scaled Mt Everest for the first time. The marathon, which starts from the Everest Base Camp, is said to be the highest marathon in the world.[break]
According to coordinator of the organizing committee Bikram Pandey, 96 foreign athletes have already registered for the marathon and many others have contacted them for participation. "We are expecting participation of around 130 foreign athletes and 60 Nepalis in the marathon," said Pandey.
Likewise, seven ultra-runners have already registered their names for the 60-km race and some more are expected to join later. "The 60-km marathon is part of the diamond jubilee celebrations," said Pandey.
The marathon carries a cash prize of Rs 100,000 for the winner of open category and Rs 70,000 for the runner-up. Likewise, the winner of foreign category will receive Rs 50,000 while the runner-up will get Rs 30,000. In the women´s section too, the winner will bag Rs 50,000 and the runner-up will get Rs 30,000.
Meanwhile, Himalaya Expeditions, together with an Indian Everest team, is also organizing Everest Climb Clean and Run (ECCR) as part of the diamond jubilee celebrations.
Bikram Pandey (L), Managing Director of Himalaya Expedition, speaks at a press meet in Bhrikutimandap. (Photo: Dipesh Shrestha)
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