Challenge with nature blind for history
LOBUCHE -- December 4th. In windy day temperature is less than -6°C, everybody is covered his face by mask and muffler and wearing thick jackets.Porters are preparing big load to carry and following own members, guide are quarreling to control tourist and porters. The crowd of people are in Que to check general health condition. Series of doctor have own duty. People are worrying if they are qualified or not ? This is the day in Lobuche upper Khumbu 5050 meter from sea level. More than 90 athletics and 10 countries are participating to create history from the top of the world.
Chief Dr.Darin seiger said Everest marathon is fully under the rule of international marathon. Individual insurance is coverage. There are six health check point along the route. In every 3 mile (26.2 Km) water, food and rescue are make ready to support the runner. Safety rule and regulation is well teach before start the game water windproof cloth, whistle and other important things must be carry by self 5" drs said before.
Three foreign and two nepali are already unqualified then remaining ninety people will compete in this world highest and hardest marathon. In worse case Pheriche,Tyangboche and Namche is decide for helicopter rescue place.
Except nepali girls and boys, westerns looks just came to entertainment. It shows from there age and style. Some are first time participating so they are nervous and some had already in many games. Among them we interviewed some local people and foreigner .
The age is varies from sixties to teen age: Ang Chamjee, 19 y.o. from Thamo is student of Khumjung school at grade nine wants to start her charactior from sport . She has already obtained a 2nd position in Tenjing Hillary marathon in 2006 and 2007, and won the skyrace 2005 in Khumbu.
Ang Dami - 39 y.o. housewife from Thame village with 3 children. She is participating to win the race. She believed coming fund from the prize will help to improve her economy condition. She had 1st position in Tenjing Hillary marathon in 2006. Her eldest son (18 y.o) is monk in Copan monastery in Kathmandu and two children are studying in Thame school near hometown. She have to look after all her children so wants to win anyhow. Besides she is running small restaurant in Thame.with big smile she said I will be a winner this time too.
Nima Yanji Sherpa - 19 years old from Khumjung village - starts her carrier from school. She is a well known runner in Nepal among the women and young athletics. In himal race (1000 km) from Kathmandu to foksondu lake (western nepal) she positioned in second place with Lakpa Diki sherpa in Nov1st to Nov 22 this year. In NRN international marathon in Kathmandu she create another history for 2nd position,not only that in Annapurna race 2007 she is qualifiying for the first among 37 runner .She said this time I Try to do my best but just last October I had a operation on my left kidney so this time is hard for me .
Another young lady Lakpa Diki (19 y.o.) near the headquarter of Solukhumbu district, student of business administration is also participate this marathon.She is professional runner and did many race. In 2005 Everest marathon and Skyrace marathon, she did in 1st and 3rd position. In 2007 Tenjing Hillary Everest marathon 8th position, NRN international marathon 4th position, Kathmandu to Dolpa (1000km) 2nd position with Nima yanji,And In NRN Kathmandu international short marathon she make history in 1st position in 20 minute for 5 Km. During the Himal race she cross Larke pass (5800masl), Kangla pass. With world history passing Himalaya together Nima Yanji sherpa.
During stay in Lobuche Nepali runner, Nepal armed police,other individual participants share there history with Pyramid Friends. Among them mostly people and tourist visit Pyramid International Laboratory and back with general knowledge about environmental study, Atmospheric brown cloud and climatology which is studying in pyramid .
Photographer : Tenjing Chotar Sherpa
Field support : Lakpa tshiring Sherpa
Text: Laxman Adhikari