Everest marathon kicks off

Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon, an adventurous sporty event that takes place in the highest altitude of the world, has begun from Everest base camp Friday morning.

More than a hundred participants with 52 international runners from a dozen countries including India, Germany, USA, Austria, England and Canada are taking part in the event.

The event is organised every year on May 29 to pay tribute to Late Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Late Sir Edmund Hillary-the first persons to summit Mt. Everest in May 29, 1953.

The 56th anniversary of the first successful ascent of Everest is being celebrated Friday. Adventure Sports Tourism Society started this event in 2003 on the occasion of 50th anniversary of the successful ascent of Everest.

Runners will be awarded in three categories. The first, second and third runners to finish from general category will get USD 1000, 500 and 300 respectively, while from the international category the first, second and third will get USD 500, 300 and 200 respectively.

The event is famous worldwide as a marathon that takes place in the highest altitude of the world. It starts from the Everest expedition base camp, just below Khumbu Ice-fall, which is above 5000m from the sea-level and finishes at Chor.

The 42 km long marathon route passes through glaciers, moraines, monasteries, monuments, chortens and suspension bridges all located at high elevations. The famous Tyangboche Monastery also lies on the route. The route is the same one used by pioneer mountaineers Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Late Sir Edmund Hillary during their expedition in 1953.

Govt, mountaineering organisations to mark Everest Day amid grand celebration

Nepalmountainnews Report 28 May 2009

The Government of Nepal, Nepal Tourism Board and various organizations involved in mountaineering have jointly vowed to mark the Everest Day on May 29, Friday amid various programmes across the country and abroad. The day is organized to celebrate the first Everest ascent by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary.According to the organizing committee formed to make the programme a success, celebrations in Kathmandu will begin from the early hours of the day. A procession of various tourism organisations will assemble at Bhadrakali temple before dispersing at Thamel. Clean up programmes will be held in Lukla Airpot while a rafting festival in Trishuli river is also on cards.The biggest attraction will be the Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon which will flag off at the Everest base-camp and end at Namche Bazar. The celebrations will end with a concert at Namche Bazar featuring leading artistes of the country.Apart from that six different people and organisations will also be felicitated for their outstanding contribution to the promotion of mountaineering on the day. The government will confer two individuals or organisations with Sagarmatha Award and Tenzing-Hillay award, which carries a purse of Rs. 100,000 and Rs. 50,000 respectively. Likewise, Trekking Association of Nepal (TAN) will honour two journalists with TAN Journalist Award. Each will receive Rs. 25,000 in cash along with a plaque. TAN will also provide education award amounting Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 50,000 for two -- one for a staff of TAN (Rs. 50,000) and another for an expert in mountaineering. Similarly, Pasang Lamu Foundation has joined in the cause by providing Rs. 25,000 for an individual who has worked for the development of Khumbu region.