Here's a race for you next year Bama!
HIMALAYAN 100 MILE STAGE RACE : DARJEELING, INDIA
23 – 27 October 2005
A journey through ancient trails with the gorgeous view of four of the world’s five tallest mountains – Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu.
Fifty seven runners from nine countries (UK, USA, Canada, Germany, South Africa, Hong Knog, Sri Lanka, UAE, South Korea) took part in 15th international Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race. Set in the Northeast Himalayas of District. Darjeeling, India the 100 mile course is one of the world’s most challenging endurance events
Autumn sky with blue hue, the bright sun with the backdrop of snows of high mountains glistening the lower hills, which offer peace and joy. Run in five stages over five days, the course winds over cobbled roads along the border of India and Nepal, traversing unrivaled mountain passes, pine forests, and isolated jungles while passing through remote villages and settlements.
With well-marked trails and fully stocked aid stations all along, racers coped up with the effects of altitude during the initial 24-mile stage, which ascended from 6350 feet to 12,000 feet.
Stephen Hilton from UK won the 15th International Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race with an overall time of 16 hrs and 14 minutes and got the privilege to receive the Sant Nagpal Baba Memorial Gold Award. The second and third position won by David Butron from Sri Lanka (16 hrs 56 minutes) and Stephen Betzelt from Germany (17hrs 36 minutes) respectively.
While Lucinda Brooks ( UK, 16 hrs 17 minutes) and Alison Hamlett (UK, 19 hrs 50 minutes) won the first and second position among female runners, Clarie Thomas (UK, 20 hrs 54 minutes) declared as the third winner . Lucinda Brooks broke all records set by previous female participants. The finish rate was 91.22%.
Participants arrived in India from October 20 onwards to prepare for the five-day event. It was noted with great interest that team included previous years’ participants. Perhaps the heavenly terrains and excellent ground support are the cause for scaling Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race time and again.
Mr.C.S.Pandey was the Race Director of the event. Elizabeth Sura from USA has bagged the Award for ‘the most eco-friendly participants while Maria Alioglu from UK has received the award for ‘the beautifully smiled participant’. The trophy for senior man and woman presented to Rex Whittle from Hong Kong and Judy Crowson from USA respectively.
Dr.Neeraj Jain, the Race Medical Officer who completed successful ten years with the race has also been honoured with gold award for excellent services.
This year participants enjoyed ‘Yoga’ and ‘Acupressure’ also during the course of race. At the end of race there was award ceremony and gala dinner. The runners were with mixed feelings on the lifetime experience and the great friendship they made along the way.
The 16th international annual Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race is scheduled to be held during 31 October – November 07 2006, ( seven nights / eight days and from Bagdogra airport to Bagdogra airport), at Darjeeling, INDIA.
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PRESS RELEASE October 25, 2005
MT.EVEREST CHALLENGE MARATHON
OCTOBER 25, DARJEELING, INDIA
The 11th international annual Mt.Everest Challenge Marathon was successfully held on October 25 at Darjeeling. It started at Sandakphu National Park with 60 runners from Nine countries (UK, USA, Canada, Germany, South Africa, Hong Kong, UAE, Sri Lanka, South Korea) negotiated the trails from Sandakphu to Rimbik via Phalut. Altitude varied from 12,000 ft to 6,350 ft.
Stephen Hilton from UK won the first position with a time of 4 hrs 48 minutes The second joint position went to Stephen Betzelt from Germany and David Burton from Sri Lanka (5 hrs 05 minutes) and the third joint position went to Charles Myers and Ryan Brown of UK (5 hrs 31 minutes). Lucinda Brooks of UK was the first woman to finish the marathon with an over all time of 4 hrs 48 minutes. Second position went to Alison Hamlett of UK with 5 hrs 58 minutes and the third woman to finish was Claire Thomas from UK with a time of 6 hrs 06 minutes. Walkers got a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the race trail at own pace.
Participants seemed to agree with Runners World magazine in describing the Mt.Everest Challenge Marathon as the “world’s most beautiful marathon”. Mr.C.S.Pandey was the Race Director. The race finish rate was 98.33%.
The course traversed isolated jungles and small villages. Participants also got opportunity to have the spectacular view of Mt.Everest, Kachenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu (four out of five highest peaks in the world). The event was held simultaneously with the Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race. This year participants enjoyed ‘Yoga’ and ‘Acupressure’ also during the course of race
The 12th international annual Mt.Everest Challenge Marathon is scheduled to be held on 04 November 2006 in Darjeeling, India
For further information contact
C.S.Pandey, Race Director,
Himalayan Run & Trek Pvt. Ltd.
T-5, Manish Chambers, Plot No.6, Block – B,
Local Shopping Complex,
Mayur Vihar Phase – 2, Delhi – 110 091, INDIA
Phone : +91 11 22772700, Fax +91 11 22772800
E-mail :
hrtpl@del2.vsnl.net.in /
cspandey@vsnl.com
Website :
www.Himalayan.com
www.Himalayanruntrek.com
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