HIMALAYAN 100 MILE STAGE RACE : DARJEELING, INDIA

04 - 08, November

Michael Wardian from USA won the 11th International Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race. 37 runners from various countries ran the event. Set in the Northeast Himalayas of Distt. Darjeeling, the 100 mile course is one of the world's most challenging endurance events. The event is also distinguished by its "AAA" rating as the world's premier eco-friendly sporting event.

Run in five stages over five days, the course winds over cobbled roads along the border of India and Nepal, traversing mountain passes, pine forests, and isolated jungles while passing through remote villages and settlements. Racers had to cope with the ffects of altitude during the initial 24 mile stage which ascended from 6350 feet to 12,000 feet, cresting at Sandakphu to a view of four of the world's five tallest mountains - Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu.

Mr. Michael Wardian from USA dominated the race by winning with an overall time of 14 hrs and 58 minutes. Mr Andy Feitknecht from Switzerland was the second winner with 15 hrs. and 43 minutes. Mr Alexander Bennet from UK was a close third with a time of 16 hrs and 31 minutes. Mrs Lynne Bennet of UK was the first woman to finish at an overall time of 19 hrs. and 34 minutes, second position went to Ms. Vivien Kilgour from UK with a time of 20 hrs. and 13 minutes and the third woman to finish was Ms.Alice Rosen from Hong Kong with a time of 20 hrs. and 28 minutes.

Participants arrived in India from Oct.28 onwards to prepare for the five-day event. The 100 mile course is one of the world's most challenging endurance events. The event is also distinguished by its "AAA" rating as the world's premier eco-friendly sporting event with a gold award. Adventurers very often qualify this event as most spectacular running course in the world as no other event offers such a unique opportunity to experience the glory of major highest peaks at same time. Mr.C.S.Pandey was the Race Director of the event. The race finish rate was 100%. The Gold Award in memory of Sant Nagpal Baba has been presented to Mr.Michael Wardian while trophy for environmental mission has been presented to Mr.Roger Wu. The trophy for senior man and woman presented to Mr.Andrew Jardian and Ms.Hilary Wharam respectively.According to participants, HSR/ECM is the most unique in

its kind though they ran many classic races and ultras. It is a well organized event with a personal touch throughout .

PRESS RELEASE NOV.06, 2001

MT.EVEREST CHALLENGE MARATHON

Nov.06 : DARJEELING, INDIA

The seventh international annual Mt.Everest Challenge Marathon was successfully held on Nov.06 at Darjeeling. It started at Sandakphu National Park with 37 runners from various countries including UK, USA, Germany, Australia, Austria, Hong Kong, South Africa etc negotiated the trails from Sandakphu to Rimbik via Phalut. Altitude varied from 12,000 ft to 6,350 ft to 12000 ft.

Mr. Michael Wardian from USA won the event in 4 hours 13 minutes. He also broke the previous record time by twenty two minutes. The second position went to Mr. Andy Feitknecht of Switzerland (4 Hrs 41 minutes) and the third position went to Mr. Alexander Bennet of UK (4 hrs 45 minutes). Mrs Lynne Bennet of UK and Ms Vivien Kilgour were the first women to finish the marathon with an over all time of 5 hrs 47 minutes, third position went to Ms. Sue Riches from UK with a time of 5 hrs and 58 minutes.

Participants seemed to agree with Runners World magazine in describing the Mt.Everest Challenge Marathon as the "world's most beautiful marathon". Mr.C.S.Pandey was the Race Director. The race finish rate was 100.%.

The course traversed isolated jungles and small villages. Participants also got the opportunity to have the spectacular view of Mt.Everest, Kachenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu (four out of five highest peaks in the world). The event was held simultaneously with the Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race.

For further information contact

C.S.Pandey, Race Director,

Himalayan Run & Trek Pvt. Ltd.

T-5, Manish Chambers, Plot No.6, Block - B, Local Shopping Complex

Mayur Vihar Phase - 2, Delhi - 110 091, India,

Phone : +91 11 2772700, Fax +91 11 2772800, or 2224811,

E-mail : cspandey@vsnl.com

Posted by Sandy Bennet on Wed 30 Nov -0001 | comments are closed

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