Himalayan Kingdom Mountain Marathon, Bhutan
Thu 20th Nov 2008
Introduction
The mystical Kingdom of Bhutan is located in the eastern Himalayas bordering India and Tibet. The local name of Druk Yul means ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon', which, perhaps, frames the way we think of this magical Buddhist country
The size of Switzerland but with a population of only 500,000 living in mostly rural communities farming rice on the lower levels and herding yak as the altitude climbs, Bhutan remains a Kingdom steeped in history, mysticism and tradition.
The comparison with Switzerland is not just in its size. Unlike many Himalayan areas the Kingdom has protected the mountains from deforestation and tourist exploitation with its resulting polution from climbing. The result is a cleanliness and the pristine look of the Alps, just a bit higher.
Tourism is strictly controlled by government permits and you must be on an organised itinerary to get permission to enter Bhutan - you cannot enter and wonder around unguided.
We will be working closely with Bhutanese Travel Company Blue Poppy Tours and Treks to put on what will be the first ever mountain marathon in the Kingdom. In addition to the Mountain Marathon, this 10 day holiday includes trekking into the mountains so that you can acclimatise, and the race is followed by time to visit the historic and cultural sights of the capital Thimphu.
The Races
The Himalayan Kingdom Marathon in 2007 was the first International trail event to be held in Bhutan and was considered a big success and even had a Bhutanese winner.
This years race starts just outside of Paro, where Bhutan's International Airport is located, at an altitude of 2,400m and drops to the Valley floor and along the river to Paro Dzong (Castle). Starting with an undulating circuit of the Paro Valley (2,250m), taking a gravel track through farms and terraced fields until the incredible Tigers Nest Monastry comes into view perched high on a verticle cliff across the valley. You don't run up to the the Tigers Nest but cross the river on a suspension bridge and make your way on a gravel trail on to Drukyel Dzong at the end of the valley.
From here the route climbs up the valley side to contour at around 3,000m taking in Chortens and Montestaries as ypu make your way back towards the finish above Paro. As well as the Marathon you can elect to run just the valley section (approx 21km).
The event will be fully supported by local guides and horses, water stations plus medical back up from doctors and local first aiders (there is a hospital 500m from the start/finish line). There are a number of evacuation points on the mountain in case of emergency accessed by 4-wheel drive to the nearby logging tracks to the valley roads. Mobile phones have connectivity on the full route making communication easy.
Drink stations will have water every 5km in the valley and water, bananas and SiS Gels at approx 5km distances on the mountain.
The second Himalayan Kingdom Marathon will simply be one of the experiences of your life.
The Climate
Late November offers some of the clearest skies making views of the staggering Himalayan Mountains crystal clear. Daytime temperatures are likely to be around 15C depending on altitude, but the temperature plummets at night and you can expect below freezing temperatures when the sun goes down.
For more general information on travel to and Trekking in Bhutan please visit Blue Poppy Tours.