Gosaikunda Helambu Trail Marathon – 42.5 Km

Nepal is the perfect place for the trail race organizations. Mostly covered by hills, Nepal houses thousands of trails that are still in use and some have been forgotten. Nepal is well known among tourists for its amazing trekking routes and view these trekking routes offer. These trekking routes are not only famous among adventure seekers, but it has been able to capture the attention of “Trail Race”, an emerging sport in Nepal. These races are helping revive these lost and forgotten trails. We also have our very own home-grown trail race champion of the world, “Mira Rai”. Even though trail race was being organized in Nepal but in less numbers, it took off after Mira Rai won the Mont-Blanc 80 km trail race in 2016 and set the new record. She has won many titles, before and after this record. Her recent victory was in 2017 Ben Nevis Ultra and she set the new record again.

Long story short, she was able to inspire new line of trail runners and has been organizing trail runs in race for many years. This has created opportunity for many people in this new sports field.

One of the inspiring and dedicated athletes, Manish Tamang is emerging as one of the prominent and promising resource that trail race needs. His work involves finding the trail and marking these trails for the runners to follow on the day of the race. To do this type of work, you really must be physically and mentally fit.  His work is commendable, and he has been able to set his foot down in the world of trail race. Not only he serves as a course inspector for the trail race route, but he is also a trail runner and recently has involved in organizing trail race. “Richard Ball”, one of the pioneers of the trail race events in Nepal, has been helping Manish for long time and acting as the light at the end of the tunnel. Not only Manish, whole Nepal owes him a huge respect for what he has done for the trail running in Nepal. With the help of expertise like Mira Rai and Richard Ball, Manish being the trail master has selected the trail that will be referred to as one of the best trails in many years to come. His trail race route includes one of holiest site for Hindus, “GosaiKunda”. It is written in the holy books of Hindu that Lord Shiva came to this lake and submerged his body to get relief from the poison he had consumed to save the world. It is considered as one of the sacred places for Hindus. More can be found regarding this topic online.

Going back to trail race, Manish has really set the standards high for others who are thinking about organizing trail race in the future.

Below are the Race details as written by Lizzy (His Supporter):

Date: Baisakh 28 / May 11 2019

Distance: 42.5 km

Ascent: + 2520m | -4700m

Start: Chyolongpati at 06:00 AM

Expected time: 4.5 hours fastest | 12-14 hours slowest

Programme:

Wednesday 8 May

16:00 – Number pickup / kit check

Thursday 9 May

06:00 – Meet for jeep transport from Thamel (location tbc), with 1 hour lunch stop

14:00 – Arrive Dunche

14:30 – 3 to 4 hour hike to Chandanbari (3330m)

19:00 – Dinner

Friday 10 May

07:00 – Breakfast

09:00 – 2-3 hour hike to Laurebina (3910m)

18:00 – Race briefing & dinner

Saturday 11 May

05:00 – Breakfast

06:00 – Race start

16:00 – village celebration on the finish line in Maramchi, Helambu

Sunday 12 May

08:00 – Bus transport back to KTM

Click here for Online Registration:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfkKTBKR9S8QGR_9ANKcgAjaFRd6JxnxIvKbcZDy6NP_9S4kA/viewform?fbclid=IwAR2w9D1swfeCk_Xz7eIQA6Hs5HBs09bchkqf8NOFix_PjtrhkCG-xgtDYXg

Registration fee to include:

1 x jeep transport from Thamel to Dunche, incuding lunch

1 x bag transport from Kathmandu to finish line (Mahankal)

1 x bag transport from Laurebina to Mahankal (helicopter OR mule / jeep)

1 x dal bhat dinner, bed, breakfast @Chandanbari

1 x dal bhat dinner, bed, breakfast @Laurebina

Checkpoints at Gosain Kund, Phedi, Ghopte, Thadepati, Mangengoth, Kutumsang

Soup / meal at finish line @Mahankal

1 x bed, breakfast @Chanaute / Mahankal or Gohare? (30 minute journey)

1 x bus transport back to KTM

Emergency blanket

Checkpoint food

1. Gosain Kund – tea, biscuits, water

2. Phedi – Noodle soup, biscuits, tea, water, tang

3. Ghopte – Noodle soup, biscuits, tea, water, tang

4. Thadepati – Noodle soup, biscuits, tea, water, tang

5. Mangengoth – Noodle soup, biscuits, tea, water, tang

6. Kutumsang – Noodle soup, biscuits, bananas, chocolate, tea, water, tang

Ask checkpoints to provide hot water, take tang from KTM

Bananas / chocolate from KTM by road to Kutumsang

Altitude & conditions

The race crosses the Laurebinak La at 4610m. There is likely to be snow on the pass, but the trail will be well trodden. Weather conditions can change fast, please be prepared. If you take the race transport you have two nights at Chyolongpati (3330m) which should be comfortable for sleeping. We advise you to make an acclimatization hike on the Friday (simply walk upwards along the race route & enjoy the views). If you make your own way to Dunche (local bus / jeep from Kathmandu) simply follow the main Gosainkunda trekking trail as far as Chyolongpati. Please arrive before 17:30 so that you can be allocated a bed before the race briefing at 18:00.

Minimum obligatory kit

● Emergency blanket

● Warm hat

● Waterproof jacket

● Long leg covering

● Long sleeve top

Item	Including	Nepali	Int
Race registration fee	Chest number & pins Finisher medal Certificate T-shirt Emergency blanket Checkpoint service & food. Your start bag sent to Kathmandu, & your finish bag sent to finish line	Rs 3000	Rs 5000
Park Permit fee & TIMS	This is necessary for all runners	Rs 135	Rs 4390
Travel Package – pay in advance	Jeep with 7 people from KTM (Sorakhutte/Thamel) directly to Dhunche and return bus from Helambu	Rs 1640 + Rs560=Rs 2200	Rs 1640 + Rs 560 = Rs 2200
Accommodation & food	We ask you to pay Rs 1000 deposit for reserving a bed which you get back on arrival at hotels, then you pay your own food and room.	Est’d: Th:1450 Fri: 1150 Sat: 900	Estimated: Th: 1900 Fri: 1300 Sat: 1800