Everest Base Camp, May 28 - The much awaited Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon is all set to flag off from the Everest Base Camp on Thursday with a record number of 136 participants including 48 internationals from 16 countries.
The 42.195 km race is held annually to commemorate the first Everest ascent by late Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on May 29 and will pass through Gorakshep, Lubuche, Dingboche, Pangboche and will go around Khumjung en route to Namche, the ending point.
Two-time defending champion Deepak Rai, 27, who clocked 3hrs 57 mins and 3 hrs 28 mins in the last two editions respectively, is participating in the race for the third time.
Nevertheless, he is downplaying his chances, like he did the last time around, citing knee injury.
"Last year I had devoted a lot of time in training but this time I was in Manang to participate in the Manang Marathon. Manang Marathon and Everest Marathon are completely different with Everest being more difficult as it takes place in a higher altitude. However, I will give my best on the final day," said Rai.
Lok Bahadur Rokaya from Armed Police Force, runner-up of Everest Marathon 2006 and winner of Diana Pini Marathon 2007 held once in two years in the Khumbu region, is seen as a strong contender in this edition. Rokaya informed that he has been training every morning and evening for the last two months and is expecting to take the title.
He, however, will face tough competition from first time participant Hiroki Ishikawa, 33, from Japan. Ishikawa who is a trainer back home in trail marathons has a couple of international titles under his belt but he admitted the Everest Marathon is a great challenge for him being different from what he has been running in back home.
Though his specialty is long distance race he hopes to give his best in this high altitude marathon which takes place at an elevation of 5,360m coupled with the hardest trails.
"I caught cold here but I still managed to spare some time for training. I will give my best on the final day despite my illness," said Ishikawa.
Yangdi Sherpa, defending champion in the women's section and champion in 2005 and 2004 will be looking to finish ahead of 12 other participants including two Nepalis and retain the title.
The marathon being the highest in the world, this 21 year old, 12-grader, says it is an honor to win the title as it requires strength and speed.
Art Valdez, expedition leader of Philippines Mt Everest Expedition leader is leading a four-member group along with two Everest summiteers Erwin Pastour and Carina Dayondon, who is seen as a strong contender in the women's section.
A nine-member team from Tribhuvan Army Club is taking part in the event. Dr Marina Makovich, 56, from Austria and Miyano Katsuyosh, 63, from Japan are the oldest participants in the women's and men's sections respectively.
There are a total of three categories — open, international and women's — to be won in the event.
The 42.195 km race is held annually to commemorate the first Everest ascent by late Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on May 29 and will pass through Gorakshep, Lubuche, Dingboche, Pangboche and will go around Khumjung en route to Namche, the ending point.
Two-time defending champion Deepak Rai, 27, who clocked 3hrs 57 mins and 3 hrs 28 mins in the last two editions respectively, is participating in the race for the third time.
Nevertheless, he is downplaying his chances, like he did the last time around, citing knee injury.
"Last year I had devoted a lot of time in training but this time I was in Manang to participate in the Manang Marathon. Manang Marathon and Everest Marathon are completely different with Everest being more difficult as it takes place in a higher altitude. However, I will give my best on the final day," said Rai.
Lok Bahadur Rokaya from Armed Police Force, runner-up of Everest Marathon 2006 and winner of Diana Pini Marathon 2007 held once in two years in the Khumbu region, is seen as a strong contender in this edition. Rokaya informed that he has been training every morning and evening for the last two months and is expecting to take the title.
He, however, will face tough competition from first time participant Hiroki Ishikawa, 33, from Japan. Ishikawa who is a trainer back home in trail marathons has a couple of international titles under his belt but he admitted the Everest Marathon is a great challenge for him being different from what he has been running in back home.
Though his specialty is long distance race he hopes to give his best in this high altitude marathon which takes place at an elevation of 5,360m coupled with the hardest trails.
"I caught cold here but I still managed to spare some time for training. I will give my best on the final day despite my illness," said Ishikawa.
Yangdi Sherpa, defending champion in the women's section and champion in 2005 and 2004 will be looking to finish ahead of 12 other participants including two Nepalis and retain the title.
The marathon being the highest in the world, this 21 year old, 12-grader, says it is an honor to win the title as it requires strength and speed.
Art Valdez, expedition leader of Philippines Mt Everest Expedition leader is leading a four-member group along with two Everest summiteers Erwin Pastour and Carina Dayondon, who is seen as a strong contender in the women's section.
A nine-member team from Tribhuvan Army Club is taking part in the event. Dr Marina Makovich, 56, from Austria and Miyano Katsuyosh, 63, from Japan are the oldest participants in the women's and men's sections respectively.
There are a total of three categories — open, international and women's — to be won in the event.
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