ROAD RUNNING
visiting this fort again after all those years , and I had a very interesting discussion with our guide in the fort , and savoured the memories that I had from my visit there in 1990 .
Nanga Parbat seen from the air .
Our journey also took us past a lake that had only recently formed . An earthquake in the decade previously had destroyed part of a mountain , which had filled a valley and blocked off the river flowing through it . A huge turquoise-coloured lake had formed , shimmering brightly in the early afternoon sunshine . Thankfully , the authorities had managed to clear the villagers in time , and few deaths and injuries were reported .
MISSING RUNNERS
The flight from Islamabad was spectacular , passing by the world ’ s ninth-highest mountain , Nanga Parbat ( 8126m ), with the captain giving us a ‘ running commentary ’ on the scenery and mountain views . It felt so good to be seeing the high mountains again , even though I would not be seeing up close the mountains of the Karakoram range where I had climbed in the 1990s . I reflected on how being in the high mountains had been my life in years gone by , and I wished momentarily that I could be taken back to those days . I wondered about the climbers that I had met , and how life had treated them since our days on the mountains .
The Khunjerab Pass Marathon international contingent at Baltit Fort
Rakaposhi , a Karakoram peak Scott climbed on a previous visit .
We were treated to a traditional warm welcome by the authorities at the airport , and this raised my tired spirits , although my main priority was to try and get some badly-needed rest . Our hotel in Gilgit was the best in town , and I decided that the best thing that I could do for myself was to first go for a short run , and asked Matt to join me . As I had arrived late in Islamabad , I had missed a briefing that Ziyad had given about the need for security at all times , and whilst it was fine and safe to run in Islamabad , he requested that we stay in the vicinity of the hotels that we were staying in when we were outside Islamabad .
Unaware of these restrictions , we strayed outside the hotel grounds and proceeded to enjoy a relaxing 45-minute run , feeling the body getting its release after the long journey . We returned to the hotel to a commotion – our event security had even sent out a drone to look for us ! As their guests , if anything untoward had happened to us , it would have been shameful for their prestige , including a loss of face , and the ramification would have prevented them from promoting Pakistan as a safe destination . We apologised profusely , and agreed to remain hotel-bound for the rest of the day !
“ We had collected surplus clothes and running apparel that we donated to the local running club , who were assisting the organisers with some of the logistics . They were extremely grateful for our contribution , and it made us feel useful that we could assist those who were much less privileged than we were .”
Stunning view of the Karakoram Mountains from the Fort !
The Baltit Fort on its strategic hill in the mountains .
DOWN MEMORY LANE
The following day , we travelled in buses , with an armed convoy for security , from Gilgit to Sost , a small town on the Karakoram Highway about a one-hour drive away from the border with China , and the starting line of our race . We took in the views of the mountains that I was familiar with , including Rakaposhi ( 27th highest in the world ), stopping at Karimabad / Baltit and visiting the fort overlooking the town , which I had visited some 29 years previously . I never thought that I would be
Our hotel in Sost was also the best in town , and there was plenty food and drink to satisfy the runners ’ appetites and thirst . We had collected surplus clothes and running apparel that we donated to the local running club , who were assisting the organisers with some of the logistics . They were extremely grateful for our contribution , and it made us feel useful that we could assist those who were much less privileged than we were , albeit in a small way . After our pasta evening meal , we all made ready for our race the following day .
FINAL PREPARATION
My strategy was to run with my day-pack , as it would be a cold start to the morning , and I could shed a layer of clothing when it became warmer as the morning progressed . I also packed in some emergency energy bars , gloves and a rain-jacket , in case of any untoward weather . As my principal running terrain was on trails in South Africa , I felt comfortable running with my day-pack . Many road runners are not usually accustomed to carrying trail-packs .
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