The Everest Marathon, the world's highest marathon, was started in 1985 by Jan Turner and Tony Hunt on a trek to and from Everest Base Camp. Jan Turner pioneered the course in 12 hours without aid stations and a full back pack. On their return to Namche Bazaar they set up an impromptu half marathon. On return to the UK, Jan Turner advertised for competitors and got a trekking agent (Bufo Ventures) to organise logistics. After The Daily Telegraph condemned the idea and warned people would die, the race took off and was held in full in November 1987. Since then there have been various versions of the event but the Hilary Tenzing Everest Marathon is the highest and closest to the original concept.
There are two versions of the Everest Marathon. The Everest Marathon (1987-present) and The Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon (2003-present). The Everest Marathon starts at Gorak Shep, whereas the Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon starts at Everest Base Camp. Both finish in Namche Bazaar.
Winners of everest Marathon :
1985 The idea of the Everest Marathon was born in 1985 when two Britons organised an impromptu race from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche monastery and back.
1987 It took two years to organise the first race in 1987 when the course was measured in the worst snow conditions for over 50 years. Despite dire predictions from medical and sports experts about running at high altitude, the event was a huge success and marked a first in athletic history. 45 runners from 5 countries.
1989 73 runners from 9 countries. Winner Jack Maitland (Scotland) set a record of 3.59.04 which was not broken until 1999.
1991 69 runners from 11 countries.
1993 72 runners from 13 countries. Ray Brown (New Zealand) set the veterans' record of 4.28.38. Pierre André Gobet (Switzerland) won the race for a second time but failed to beat Jack's record. Hari Roka (Nepal) came second.
1995 71 runners from 12 countries. Freak snows and avalanches in early November prevented us from reaching the start and only a half marathon could be run. Hari Roka (Nepal) came second again.
1997 88 runners from 14 countries. Anne Stentiford (UK) set the ladies' record of 5.16.03 which was not broken until 2007. Hari Roka became the first Nepali winner.
1999 74 runners from 9 countries. The first spring race. Hari Roka won again and finally broke Jack Maitland's record in 3.56.10. Dawn Kenwright became the first person to win the ladies' race twice.
2000 67 runners from 13 countries. Hari Roka won the race for a third time and smashed his own 1999 record in 3.50.23.
2002 50 runners from 12 countries. Local boy Pasang Temba Sherpa won the race in 3.59 37, one second ahead of Nah Bahadur Shah: the closest finish yet!
2003 60 runners from 6 countries. First was Uttar Kumar Rai in 4.01.44, having been 7th in both 2000 and 2003. Hari Roka was first veteran but still holds the race record.
2005 80 runners from 9 countries. This was very encouraging in view of falling numbers in the previous three races. Tshering Lama Yolma (21) won the race in 3.52.25: a very talented performance. He actually broke Hari Roka's record but was penalised for breaking the minimum kit rule. as did most of the Nepalese runners. There is a kit rule for safety reasons and this will be applied more strictly in future. Obviously a runner can gain time if he drops his 'sac halfway through the race.
2007 87 runners from 10 countries including an entertaining contingent of 12 runners from New Zealand. Although the men did not break any records, three ladies are now in the top 5 ladies’ results and Angela Mudge smashed Anne Stentiford’s record by 14 minutes.
2009 78 runners from 14 countries. Deepak Raj Rai was the winner (3.59.31) and enters the All Time List with Sudeep Kulung Rai. Anna Frost from New Zealand now holds the Ladies’ Record in an unbelievable time of 4.35.04 (6th place overall) with 4 ladies entering the All Time List. Our champion and record holder, Hari Roka, did a sterling job in the sweep team.
Runners have come from the following countries: UK, Nepal, Eire, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Belgium, Bulgaria, Russia, USA, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, Malaysia, Argentina, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and the Seychelles.
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