The remaining 14, who have been running for the past five days, set off for Dolpa.[break]
The sick athletes suffered from high altitude sickness and were also injured after falling in the course of the race, according to the organizer Basecamp Trekking Company. Chandra Gurung, manager of the company, said the 13 athletes have been called back from Jumla as they were not fit to continue the race.
Athletes from Belgium, Italy, France and Nepal are competing in the race. Among them, Juvenac Magali, Ringeual Bruno, Jaeg Duminique, Doat Franquis, Hagenstein Christian of France were compelled to abort the race and move toward Nepalgunj due to ´medical problem´. All three Nepali athletes are reported to be fine.
The long-distance runners have to pass through several peaks ranging from 5,000 m to 5,300 m that fall on the route. The race that began on October 18 will conclude after 34 days at Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) after covering a distance of 890 km.
The route set for the runners is from Kailash to Humla´s Simikot and then toward Gamgadhi of Mugu and Jumla. The other places that fall en route then onward are Dolpa´s Dho, Namdo, She, Manang and ABC.
The runners have to complete a certain distance each day and the one who finishes the race in the least time in aggregate will be declared the winner.
Nepal´s Fu Dorje, who has participated in similar races in France, Switzerland and Greece, said this race has been the most challenging of all. The 26-year-old from Solukhumbu said he has come across such a dangerous route for the first time in his life.
"There are lots of risks and challenges, but there is also enjoyment in it," Dorje said.
The athlete who began long distance racing at the age of 18 and has the experience of Nepal´s Everest and Annapurna Marathons, has been leading the initial stages of the race.
The route which is risky due to the terrain and altitude has the possibility of becoming a destination for high altitude racing in the world and set an example if it gets good publicity, says Gurung.
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