The much awaited high endurance international footrace RacingThePlanet: Nepal 2011 kicked off today at 7 am (local time) from Mardi Khola (situated a few kilometers from Pokhara).

"On your mark, get,set & Go!" –  RacingThePlanet: Nepal 2011 begins

Oldest Competitor- Jeniffer Murray (71 years) from UK

Chief Guest at the flagging off ceremony was Mr. Shankar Prasad Pandey (Secretary , Prime Minister’s Office, Nepal ). During the race, 219 participants from 40 countries will be testing their strength and endurance level by trying to cover a distance of 250 km in 7 days and 6 stages, carrying their own backpacks. The 250 km race course covers  Kaski, Parvat, Baglung and Myagdi districts in the Annapurna region. Maximum altitude reached during the race will be 3,200 meters / 10,500 feet and total elevation gain across the full course is 9,000 meters / 29,500 feet.

Press Conference – NTB Pokhara

Addressing a press conference on 18th November 2011 at the NTB Hall in Pokhara, Mr. Suman Pandey, Nepal Director, RacingThePlanet:Nepal 2011, informed media persons that around 45 Everest summitteers are acting as volunteers in this event. The event organizers  have tried to make use of locally available commodities and other facilities as much as possible, so as to  boost local economy and tourism .

RacingThePlanet, an international organization specializing in high endurance races is the official organizer of the race. Explore Himalaya the logistic arranger of this event wishes all the participants the best of luck.

(Pics: Explore Himalaya)