TRAIL RUNNING
temperature plummeted and it was time to wear down-jackets , gloves , hats and thermal wear . However , a combination of our acclimatisation programme , eating and drinking well , and gaining altitude slowly , resulted in the majority of runners feeling relatively OK with their acclimatisation process , although a very few were not so well .
Unfortunately , our original intended start-line was no longer usable . At the end of October ( before we arrived in Nepal ), there had been an unseasonable storm in the region , with heavy snowfall ( described as some of the worst snow conditions at that time of year for about 50 years ), and our proposed route into the Everest Base Camp ( 5400 metres ) was no longer feasible . An alternative route had subsequently been marked , and our start line was changed to be outside the last settlement before Base Camp , Gorak Shep , at 5200 metres . This comprised several huts that were populated by the locals during the herding season in the early spring and summer months .
Prior to race-day , from Gorak Shep , we ascended a small hill , Kala Patthar ( 5500 metres ), from where we obtained remarkable views of the ice-fall above Everest Base Camp , and the entrance into the Western Cwm ( also known as the Valley of silence – cwm is Welsh for valley ), which all climbing expeditions now use on the ‘ normal ’ climb via the South Col to the summit of Everest . Who would have believed some six months prior to this , that I would be standing on the summit of Kala Pattar , gazing up at the highest mountain in the world , and then running a marathon the following day !
Lacing Up for the Run
Finally , it was November 27 , race day at last . After nearly three weeks , this was to be the day . A brutal early morning start . Freezing temperatures . Sun not yet up . An early breakfast . Thermal underclothes , warm socks , jackets , gloves , hat . Trail shoes on . Running sack ready with emergency clothes , and some food . Camera ready with fully charged batteries . Wishing good luck to all our running comrades !
Typical scenery that the runners see as make their way from Dingboche to Tengboche
The initial part of the course was on a glacier , and progress was very slow for the first hour , all taking care to avoid any falls and potential injuries . By the time we reached the normal part of the trail that was free of ice and snow , the sun was out , so layers were shed and we were off on our journey . Although the route was mostly downhill , there were many still uphill sections , and total ascent and descent amounted to nearly 2000 metres . Many local villagers and trekkers cheered us on , as the event had been well publicised and discussed in the communities .
We passed by the settlements and villages where we had camped on the journey upwards the previous week , all names familiar to trekkers , mountaineers and now runners alike : Lobuche , Dingboche , Pangboche , Tengboche . As we ran downhill and reached lower altitude , we breathed in the less pressurised air , and the increased oxygen levels allowed our bodies to function without ( in my case , at least !) any detrimental effects . It felt so good after sleeping at over 5000 metres and breathing with difficulty , to be running at an average elevation some thousand metres lower . It certainly made me run faster !
The aid / control stations were approximately every 5km , staffed by marshals and medical staff , and were well stocked . I stopped at each one to savour
The start of the 1987 Everest Marathon , with Scott fourth from left
Yaks , a common sight on Himalayan trails
the views and atmosphere , chat to the helpers , in addition to helping myself to the generous quantities of food and drink . How could one not be inspired by the surrounding scenery ? Views of Everest and Lhotse on the left-hand side . Ahead and to the right other smaller mountains too numerous to mention . Yaks on the route to be avoided . Rope and wooden bridges to cross the streams and over the Dudh Khosi River ( the main turquoise-white river rushing down from the glaciers ). Encouraging the other runners , taking some photographs . Local communities taking time out from their daily routines to gaze in wonder ( or sympathy ) at us runners . It was a super run !
Absolute Dream Run
As we approached Tengboche , familiar views of Ama Dablam nestling majestically on the left-hand side
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