Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon going to be held on May 29,2009

The Tenzing- Hillary Everest Marathon, world’s highest marathon race, is one of the toughest adventure sports held every year on May 29 since 2003. It is also enlisted in the Guinness Book of Records as the highest marathon in the world. The Marathon starts from Everest Base Camp, which is at an altitude of 5356m (17,572 feet) finishes at Namchee Bazaar, 3446m (11,300 feet) high. The course is measured 42 km (26.2 miles) over rough mountain trails.

This event is organized to commemorate two legends, Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmond Hillary, who conquered Mount Everest in May 29, 1953. This marathon is along the route pioneered by the two legends before ascending Everest and seven km long moraine. The participants pass across renowned Tengboche monastery, historic monuments, low-tech suspension bridges and unique landscapes.

The course is basically downhill with two steep uphill sections. This marathon covers unforgiving mountain climate, rough trails and probably some snow and ice on the some parts. The combination of the terrain, exposure, the altitude and the climate in this course is the most challenging endeavor for an athlete who likes to go extra mile to beat the odds.

Acclimatization to high altitude is essential for all athletes. Exposure to thin air or low pressure climate can have health problems causing diarrhea, altitude sickness, deep vein thrombosis, reduced lung capacity or chest infections and sometimes can be fatal. So, runners have to be in Nepal on May 14, for a special program of hiking around the Kathmandu Valley and the 15 day trek to the Everest Base Camp to make them accustomed to this region. The climatisation process concludes with the ascent of Kala Patthar (5545m/18,192ft).