Nepalmountainnews Report | 29 May 2008
The much awaited Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon is being flag off from the Everest Base Camp on Thursday with a record number of 136 participants including 48 internationals from 16 countries marking world Everest day.
The 42.195 km race is held annually to commemorate the first Everest ascent by late Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on May 29 and will pass through Gorakshep, Lubuche, Dingboche, Pangboche and will go around Khumjung en route to Namche, the ending point.
Two-time defending champion Deepak Rai, 27, who clocked 3hrs 57 mins and 3 hrs 28 mins in the last two editions respectively, is participating in the race for the third time.
Likewise, Yangdi Sherpa, defending champion in the women's section and champion in 2005 and 2004 will be looking to finish ahead of 12 other participants including two Nepalis and retain the title.
Art Valdez, expedition leader of Philippines Mt Everest Expedition leader is leading a four-member group along with two Everest summiteers Erwin Pastour and Carina Dayondon, who is seen as a strong contender in the women's section.
A nine-member team from Tribhuvan Army Club is taking part in the event. Dr Marina Makovich, 56, from Austria and Miyano Katsuyosh, 63, from Japan are the oldest participants in the women's and men's sections respectively while Jodie Symington, 23 of UK is the youngest participant.
There are a total of three categories — open, international and women's — to be won in the event.
Today (May 29) is the 55th anniversary of the historic ascent of the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest.
On this day in 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and a Nepali Tenzing Norgay Sherpa scaled the Sagarmatha (8,850 metres) for the first time.
Gold and silver coins featuring late Hillary against a backdrop of Mount Everest were released in New Zealand today to mark the 55th anniversary of his historic ascent of Mount Everest.
According to the New Zealand Post, which issued the commemorative coins, part of the proceeds of their sale would go to the Himalayan Trust that Hillary established for the Sherpa people of Nepal.
Hillary, the first living New Zealander to be featured on a bank note, died in January, aged 89, while Tenzing passed away in 1986.
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