The Highest Marathon in the World
The Highest Marathon in the World
Everest Marathon - Nepal
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Arrival & Fun Run  |  Kathmandu Tours  |  Kathmandu to Namche  |  Namche & the Thamo Loop  |  Trek to Gokyo
Trek to Gorak Shep  |  Race Day  |  After the Race  |  People of Nepal  |  Competitors & Helpers

Namche & the Thamo Loop

We spend a couple of nights in Namche Bazaar acclimatising to the altitude. This gives people time to explore the Thamo Loop, the last 6 miles of the course. Please click on a photo to see a larger image

The first view of Namche Bazaar (3446m). Namche is where the Everest Marathon finishes.Stupa on the way into Namche Bazaar, with Kwangde (6187m) in the background.Looking across Namche, with Thamserku (6806m) in the background. The buildings on the ridge above the town are the local school and the army camp.Yaks coming up the main street. The steps immediately to the left lead to the race finish line in the courtyard of the Hotel Sherpaland.
The Tibetan market. Namche at night. Outside the front of the Hotel Sherpaland.Namche at night. Looking across the town from the Thamserku Lodge.Two full nights are spent at Namche to allow people to acclimatise. This is a good chance to, relax, meet your fellow competitors and explore the town.
Namche has many lodges and a couple of bakeries.This view back down to Namche is taken from Chorkung, the 20 mile point on the race. From here the race contours around the top of the town before joining the path seen in the middle distance. This path is the start of the Thamo loop, the final six miles of the course.A mani stone at Chorkung. Chorkung offers a great view of the summit of Everest (back left), peeping over the ridge between Lhotse and Nuptse. The mountain on the right is Ama Dablam.
A closer view of Everest. The path by the stupa in the foreground is on the race route just before reaching Chorkung.One of the most popular activities on the acclimatisation day is to visit the Everest View Hotel and the village of Khumjung above Namche. Khumjung school was founded by Sir Edmund Hillary ...... whose statue looks over the school playground.
Climbing out of Khumjung on the way back to Namche.Starting to descend back into Namche.A mani wall between Khumjung and Namche.Looking down towards Namche. The usual weather pattern for November when the race takes place is to have crystal clear mornings but for cloud to build up during the afternoons.
Evening light on Thamserku.Evening light on Thamserku.Inside the Thamserku Lodge. This lodge has been used as the base for the marathon since the race was first run in 1987.For logistical purposes competitors are split into 3 groups for the trek. Here some of the
A quiz night takes place Inside the Khumbu Lodge, the base for the On the morning we leave Namche competitors get the chance to run to the Thamo Loop. None of the race route is marked so it is important that competitors get to know the route before race day.Approaching the village of Thamo.Competitors regrouping at the end of the Thamo Loop. On race day this is the 23 mile aid station.
Returning along the Thamo loop.Returning along the Thamo loop.Returning along the Thamo loop.Returning along the Thamo loop.
Returning along the Thamo loop.Dropping back down into Namche at the end of the loop - a wonderful sight on race day!Running through Namche, just before the finish line.