A total of 131 runners, including 35 Nepali male runners, will compete in the main event -- the men´s marathon covering a distance of 42.195 km.
The event, one of the toughest marathons in the world, is being organized by Himalayan Expedition every year on May 29 for the past 10 years to commemorate the day Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Edmund Hillay conquered the world´s highest peak, Everest, for the first time in 1953. [break]
The marathon will start from the Everest Base Camp, situated at an altitude of 5,300 meters, and will end at Namche Bazar (3,450 meters). The marathon will pass through Goraksep (5,160 meters), Lobuche (4,928 meters), Thukla (4,611 meters), Bibre (4,492 meters), Dingboche (4,530 meters), Pyangboche (3,995 meters), Tyangboche (3,890 meters), Lobisasa (3,495 meters), Kangjuma (3,592 meters) and Chortern (3,560 meters) en route to the finishing point.
The winner of the recently held Annapurna 70-km Ultra Race, Upendra Sunuwar, is the favorite to win the race. However, he is expected to face tough challenge from defending champion Phurba Tamang, who will be looking to win the title for a record fourth time.
Nepali runners have ruled the roost in women´s marathon as well. Nepali women have secured first position in all the nine editions since the women´s event was introduced in the second edition in 2004.
The top three finishers of the men´s marathon will bag a purse of Rs 100,000, Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively. The winners of the women´s marathon will receive Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000 respectively.
The oldest runner in this year´s marathon is 72-year-old Christopher Geiger from Switzerland while the youngest is Monyean Foote, 18, from Australia, who is participating in the women´s section.
Meanwhile, a 60-km ultra race has also been included this year to celebrate the diamond jubilee (60 years) of the first ascent of Everest. The ultra race will begin from Upper Pyangboche (4,010 meters) and will pass through Fortse (3,895 meters), Nyahala (4,397 meters), Morchema (4,395 meters), Dole (4,030 meters), Fortse Tenga (3,642 meters), Mongla (4,395 meters), Kangjuma (3,592 meters) and Chorten before concluding at Namche.
More than 30 runners, including 15 foreigners, have confirmed their participation in the event. The top three finishers will get Rs 100,000, Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000 each respectively.
According to event manager Shikhar Pandey, they have completed all the preparations for the marathon. "We have finished all the preparations," said Pandey. "We have set up a check point every 2 kilometers for the main event. Water and medical facilities will be available at the check points if needed."
According to Pandey, the organizers have also made arrangement for helicopter in case of emergency. "To ensure that the highest altitude marathon of the world is fully safe we have made arrangement for helicopter," said Pandey.
Along with runners from Nepal, the event will feature participants from the USA, Germany, the UK, Canada, Hungary, New Zealand, Poland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Australia, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, India, Hong Kong, South Africa and China.
Everest Marathon winners
Year Winner Timing
2012 Phurba Tamang 3:41:31
2011 Sudip Kulung Rai 3:45:49
2010 Phurba Tamang 3:41:20
2009 Phurba Tamang 3:40:47
2008 Deepak Raj Rai 3:53:14
2007 Deepak Raj Rai 3:59:02
2006 Deepak Rai 3:28:27
2005 Dangima Sherpa 4:19:17
2004 Dangima Sherpa 4:03:08
2003 Uttar Kumar Rai 3:34:12
Women´s Results
Year Winner Timing
2012 Ang Futi Sherpa 5:14:44
2011 Ang Futi Sherpa 4:46:14
2010 Ang Futi Sherpa 5:08:57
2009 Migma Chhunji Sherpa 5:05:32
2008 Ang Futi Sherpa 5:33:10
2007 Yangdi Lama Sherpa 5:27:41
2006 Ang Dami Sherpa 5:06:55
2005 Yangdi Lama Sherpa 6:06:02
2004 Yandi Sherpa 5:55:40
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