The event is being organized on May 29 to mark the first ascent of Mt Everest by Tenjing Norgey and Edmond Hillary.
Altogether, 61 runners including 17 Nepali and 46 foreigners have registered their names for the seventh edition of the marathon. The registration is open till May 25. None of the winners of the men´s category of the last edition have registered their names for this edition so far, informed technical coordinator of the marathon Krishna Bahadur Basnet. "We have sent the forms to the base camp too and the final list of the contestants will be known after reaching there only," he added.
Ten women and 36 foreign men have registered their names. Among 17 Nepalis willing to participate in the event, Januka Rai and Aangfuti Sherpa are only two female runners.
Likewise, seven Indians, nine Germans and eight Americans will also take part in the marathon.
In the last edition, 136 participants including 48 foreigners had competed. Deepak Rai won the title while Furba Tamang was the runner up. Rai also completed his hat trick by winning teh marathon for three consecutive times.
"Deepak who had leg injury last year had come to participate during the last moment, despite saying that he would not compete," Basnet informed. "This time also we are not sure whether he will compete or not," he added. Furba has said that he would take part, but he has not registered his name yet.
All foreigners participating in the marathon are new. Most of the aspiring contestants said they want to participate in the marathon just for fun while a few Indian contestants said they had taken part in marathon somewhere else.
Though the runners are still registering their names, preparations have reached last phase, Basnet said. "The task of keeping flags and arranging water facility at check points and judge points is ongoing," he added.
The marathon starting from the base camp will finish at Namchebajar via Gorekshep, Lobuche, Thukla, Ningboche, Pyangboche, Khumjung, Khunde and Shyangboche.
Uttam kumar Rai won the title of the first edition in 2003, Dangimma Sherpa won the title for two consecutive times and Desepak Rai for three times. In women´s category, Aang Futi Sherpa is the defending champion. Among the foreigners, Yisikawa Hiroki had secured the first spot.
The top three position holders will receive cash prize of US $ 1,000, 500 and 300, respectively.
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