Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race Overview
By Jose Manuel Jimenez, Chile

It seems only a few days ago when I was packing my bags to leave for a trip to India, for the Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race and the Everest Marathon Challenge. Event organized by HRT and race Director Mr. C.S. PANDEY.


This event is held annually and has been going on for the past 17 years, non-stop. People from all around the world have come to experience this race, although not just a race, it is a life experience. It’s a challenge not only against nature and gravity but also a challenge against oneself. All the competitors of this event eventually have to battle against their inner self to keep on going and to push harder to face the elements, their wary bodies and the tough terrain.

This race is made for every kind of runner; Marathon, Ultra runners, trekkers and walkers, it adapts to every pace.

It’s been a long time since I have seen an event so well organized, so well synchronized that everything just keeps on flowing and there is always a smile on everyone’s face, whatever the need, whatever the time.

In what other place in the world can you be running as you stare (if you do this too much you will stumble and fall) at the highest peaks in the world, four out of the five tallest mountains of the planet can be seen from the route of the Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race; Kachenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu and Everest.

5 days running and walking in such a remote place and such amazing landscapes are very worth the long trip to the area of Darjeeling in between the borders of India, Nepal and Bangladesh.

This event turned out to be flawless when it comes to attention to detail and what you get for your moneys worth. You have to think of the place you will be visiting and just how hard it is to get to these remote locations, the access to the villages is through very steep hills, on roads that in a normal world only one car would fit but for some mystical and miraculous reason; here in India spaces aren’t what they seem.

Once you have been in the HSR and ECM you will understand the real meaning of an altitude race, the way your lungs burn for air and the satisfaction of reaching the final 50 meters of each day’s race. The feeling of

such completion is impressive; the sense of enduring such a prowess, effort and knowing deep down inside the reasons behind why each and every runner is going through a task like this. For others it might be crazy… many people do not understand what is in

the mind of a Marathonist, a runner or simply someone who wants to walk around the world in places that many would never even dare to set foot. To this special breed of sport individuals, this event is a must, a trip you must take at least once in your lifetime, if you come again; you really understood the point of this whole race.

This trip is organized by Mr. C.S. PANDEY, who takes much pride in his labor of producing a race that can meet the needs of different types of racers and can end up also meeting and surpassing the expectations of the competitors. I can say that I’m not a runner, just a guy with a camera that loves sports and nature, I’ve

done many trekking routes but this race makes me want to get my running shoes and just get out there and run. Races are life experiences, not just putting one foot in front of the other, it gives you time to think, meditate and digest your surroundings, put things into perspective, what better place than this to do so.

So five days of going up and down hills like you will never imagine, five days of living and sharing with a group of individuals with different backgrounds and life stories, five days of beauty and landscapes and colors that are always changing. Is it worth it, you bet it is!!!

I have never seen anything like the way Mr. C.S. Pandey and his crew are always complying to every and all needs the runners, we are all treated like royalty and that, you do not see in many races.

I thank Mr. C.S. PANDEY and all his lovely staff, for such a great experience and a marvelous time. For always being so attentive to every need and doing such a flawless job. Hopefully I’ll be back in a future edition to experience this great adventure once more.