All preparations have been completed for the sixth edition of the Annapurna Marathon, which will take place on Jestha 20 (June 3) from Annapurna Base Camp to Ghandruk in Kaski district as part of the celebrations of Annapurna Climbing Day.
The marathon is organized annually to honor the historic first ascent of Mt. Annapurna I and to promote the significance and legacy of the mountain in global mountaineering history.
International and Domestic Runners to Participate
According to Lalit Gurung, President of the Annapurna Century Tourism Committee and Marathon Coordinator, a total of 53 runners will participate in this year’s event, including eight international athletes and 45 Nepali runners aged between 18 and 69 years.
The marathon management is being coordinated by Riki Yonjan, while previous winners, including Tilak Bahadur Sunar, have already reached Annapurna Base Camp for acclimatization and pre-race training.
Celebrating Historic Annapurna Ascent
The event commemorates the historic ascent of the 8,091-meter Annapurna I by French mountaineer Maurice Herzog and his team on June 3, 1950. The successful climb marked the world’s first ascent of a mountain above 8,000 meters, bringing international attention to Himalayan mountaineering.
Herzog’s expedition climbed Annapurna I from the northern base camp in Myagdi district. The achievement made the Annapurna region globally recognized among mountaineers and adventure travelers. Just three years later, in 1953, Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Edmund Hillary successfully summited Mt. Everest, further elevating Nepal’s status as a global mountaineering destination.
Annapurna Region’s Growing Tourism Legacy
Tourism experts believe the successful Annapurna expedition significantly contributed to the growth of tourism activities in the Gandaki region. In the following decades, Pokhara became a popular destination among international travelers, including the arrival of “hippie” tourists during the 1960s.
The Annapurna region gradually developed into one of the world’s leading trekking destinations after renowned explorer Eric Shipton trekked to Annapurna Base Camp in 1966.
Challenging Route Through Himalayan Trails
The Annapurna Marathon covers a total distance of 42.195 kilometers, starting from Annapurna Base Camp at an altitude of 4,130 meters and ending at Ghandruk village. The route passes through Machhapuchhre Base Camp, Bagar, Deurali, Hinku Cave, Himalaya, Dobhan, Sinuwa, Chhomrong, Taulu, Gurjung, Chuile, Melanche, Komrong Danda, and Kimrong Khola before concluding in Ghandruk.
Normally, trekkers take around three days to complete the same trail, but marathon winners are expected to finish the race in approximately four hours. According to organizers, previous winners completed the race in times ranging between four hours and 16 minutes to four hours and 27 minutes.
Attractive Prize for Winners
The marathon offers cash prizes and certificates for top finishers in both men’s and women’s categories. Winners will receive Rs 150,000, second-place finishers Rs 100,000, and third-place finishers Rs 75,000.
Promoting Mountain Tourism and Culture
Organizers say the marathon is becoming increasingly popular each year due to its combination of Himalayan geography, adventure trails, and breathtaking natural beauty. Tankaraj Adhikari, Coordinator of the Annapurna Marathon Publicity Committee, stated that the event plays an important role in promoting not only Annapurna I but also the overall mountain tourism potential of Gandaki Province and Nepal.
Nepal Tourism Board Highlights Importance
Maniraj Lamichhane, Chief of the Nepal Tourism Board’s Gandaki Province Office, emphasized that events such as the Annapurna Marathon are crucial for promoting the historical and tourism significance of Annapurna and Nepal’s Himalayan heritage. Gandaki Province is home to major Himalayan ranges including Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Manaslu. The Annapurna range itself includes Annapurna I, II, III, IV, Annapurna South, Gangapurna, Baraha Shikhar, Tilicho Peak, Nilgiri, and Lamjung Himal.
Preparations are complete for the sixth Annapurna Marathon from Annapurna Base Camp to Ghandruk on June 3, marking Annapurna Climbing Day. The high-altitude race will feature domestic and international runners while promoting Himalayan tourism, mountaineering history, and the Annapurna region.
