HIMALAYAN 100 MILE STAGE RACE: DARJEELING, INDIA

November 03 – 07, 2008


The 18th Himalayan Run & Trek International Annual Events (Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race) went off successfully during Nov. 03 – 07, 2008 in Darjeeling area, the North-East Himalayan ranges. Adventurers from fourteen countries including USA, UK, Canada, Germany, Spain, Namibia, New Zealand, Austria, Ireland, Sweden, South Africa, Italy, Finland, India etc took part in this novel event. The Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race has been distinguished as one of the world’s most challenging and toughest endurance events with ‘AAA’ rating.

Mr. Hubert Gantioler (Austria) won the 18th International Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race with a time of 14 Hrs. 58 minutes got the privilege to receive the Sant Nagpal Baba Memorial Gold Award with the first prize. The second and third position won by Mr. Paul James Halford (England) with a time of 15 Hrs. 59 Minutes and Mr. Alexander Gordon Copping (UK) with a time of 16 Hrs. 44 Minutes respectively. Among the females, Ms. Sara Catherine Winter (New Zealand) with an overall time of 17 Hrs. 31 Minutes won the first prize. The second position won by Ms. Linda Mary Doke (South Africa) with a time of 19 Hrs. 16 Minutes and Ms. Kristen Daly and Ms. Kathryn Carnet Daly (USA) with a time of 24 Hrs. 46 Minutes declared the third winner.

The oldest participant was Mr. Leslie Reginald Green from UK (70 years) while Gold Award for environmental mission was presented to Ms. Carmelina Niro from UK. The race finish rate was 97%.

Akshay, Manish and Mansi were the Indian Participants who had particpitated in this year event and Akshay, 17 years was the youngest male participant and Mansi, 21 years was the youngest female participant.

The course traversed vast tea gardens, isolated jungles and small villages. Participants also got opportunity to have the spectacular view of Mt. Everest, Kachenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu (four out of five highest peaks in the world). According to the runners, the race trail is most beautiful and it offers a rare opportunity to enjoy the cold breezes that hover around the rhododendron forests which holds more than four thousand types of flowering plants and three hundred varieties of rare ferns.

Simultaneously the 14th Mt. Everest Challenge Marathon also took place on the third day of the Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race.

Mr. C. S. Pandey was the Race Director of the events. According to Mr.C.S. Pandey, “eco-friendly adventure sport is the best way to spice up and brighten life. Becoming one with nature is the most satiating experience one can have, as it helps to keep the body and mind in perfect condition.” The central ambition behind this eco adventure sport mission is to preserve the environment and local heritage of Indian Himalaya for future generation.

The 19th Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race will take place during October 25 - November 01, 2008 (Eight Days / Seven Nights and from Bagdogra airport to Bagdogra airport), at Darjeeling, INDIA

MT. EVEREST CHALLENGE MARATHON

NOVEMBER 05, 2008, DARJEELING, INDIA

The 14th International Annual Mt. Everest Challenge Marathon was successfully held on November 05, 2008 at Darjeeling. It started at Sandakphu National Park with Sixty four participants from fourteen countries (USA, UK, Canada, Germany, Spain, New Zealand, Austria, South Africa, Italy, Sweden, Namibia, Finland, Ireland, India, etc) negotiated the trails from Sandakphu to Rimbik via Phalut. Altitude varied from 12,000 ft to 6,350 ft.

Mr. Hubert Gantioler (Austria) won the first position with a time of 4 Hrs. 32 minutes. The second position went to Mr. Alexander Gordon Copping (UK) with 4 Hrs. 46 minutes and the third position went to Mr. Scott Michael Penticoff (USA) with 4 Hrs. 58 minutes. Among females, Ms. Sara Catherine Winter (New Zealand) was the first woman to finish the marathon with an over all time of 5 Hrs. 10 minutes. Second position went to Ms. Linda Mary Doke (South Africa) with 5 Hrs. 57 minutes and the third woman to finish was Ms. Melissa Wells Chase (USA) with a time of 6 Hrs. 57 minutes. Walkers got a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the race trail at own pace.

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 98.43%.

The course traversed isolated jungles and small villages. Participants also got 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.

The 15th International Annual Mt. Everest Challenge Marathon is scheduled to be held on October 29, 2009 in Darjeeling, India

For further information contact:


C.S.PANDEY, Race Director,

Himalayan Run & Trek Pvt. Ltd.

T-5, Manish Chamber, Plot No.6, Block – B,

Mayur Vihar Phase – 2, Delhi – 110 091, INDIA

Phone: +91 11 22772700, Fax: +91 11 22772800

E-mail: hrtpl@del2.vsnl.net.in / cspandey@vsnl.com

Website: www.himalayan.com


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