Stage 1
JIRI – BHANDHAR
21,5 Km.
3795 m. of total altitude gain (+1975 m., – 1820 m)
The second edition of the EVEREST TRAIL RACE has already started. Timely, over 30 runners were at the starting point today, November 15 at 9:00 am Nepal time. Among them, the world champion Núria Picas and the three-time world champion Agustí Roc. Over 30 runners/adventurers participating and do not wanting to miss this race that undoubtedly is one of the most spectacular and demanding stage races of the world calendar.
With a totally Spanish organization, the EVEREST TRAIL RACE runs over 160 km in six stages through the Himalayas of Nepal, specifically in the Solukhumbu or, for all to understand, the valley where the Everest is, plus other emblematic summits as Amadablam, the south face of Lothse over 8000 m. or Tamserku and Kangtega.
Obviously, the race is demanding. In fact, this edition will exceed 29,000 m. of total altitude gain (15658 m positive, negative 13710 m.). However, the organization sometimes gives cutting times over 11 hours to be able to complete the stage walking if necessary. So the race accommodates both elite runners like those mentioned, and mountain walkers used to long distances and significant accumulated elevation.
Today’s stage, the first of six that will have to be overcome, runs between the towns of Jiri and Bhandar. Participants will have to cover a distance of 21.5 km, and overcome two passes of more than 2000 m. accumulating a positive and negative elevation of 3795 m.
At the time of closing this chronicle, two runners have already reach the finish line: Jordi Aubeso 2:39:52 (San Miguel 0.0) in the men category and Núria Picas 3:02:58 (Buff-Compressport), in the women category.
The ETR 2012 has just begun, 5 spectacular stages await these runners and adventure lovers.