Race Media

Bowled over by Balthali’s beauty, Nepal Action Asia participants speak highly of event

It is unusual to find trail running champion Claire Price walking during a race – but then again the Nepal Action Asia three-day ultramarathon is far from your typical race.

On the final day of the 100km event, race leader Price was brought to a stroll as she approached the day’s only checkpoint. At Namo Buddha, 1,760 metres in the sky, she walked – not only because it was a strict rule of the religious site, but also because of the sheer magnificence of the ancient Buddhist monastery.

Price, again in atypical racing fashion, whipped out her camera and snapped away at the gleaming golden stupas, panoramic mountain views and beautiful hillside terraced farms in the area. Then, leaving the palace behind her, she ran through a rainbow of prayer flags suspended along hundreds of metres of ridgeline, back down to the finish line at Balthali village to seal overall victory in the race.

Price’s cumulative three-day timing was 11 hours 6 minutes and 59 seconds, ahead of runner-ups Matthew Pocock (11:15:42) and James Park (11:45:29). All three had paced each other for most of days two and three of the event.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the trip and would highly recommend it to experienced runners and hikers alike,” says Price, one of Hong Kong’s fastest and most accomplished trail runners – among both men and women. “It was very well organised and the course markings and marshalling were excellent. Great people, good running and a very fun few days in one of my favourite countries. It was a great way to discover a new and very pretty region of Nepal, and to do a good block of training.”

This year was the sixth edition of the annual Nepal Action Asia three-day ultramarathon and race director Michael Maddess had chosen a completely new location: Balthali, a small village about 40km southeast of Kathmandu that sits on a plateau at about 1,600m elevation amid terraced rice fields. The village, at the junction of the Roshi River and the Ladhku River on the east side of the Kathmandu Valley, is a treat for senses, with orange plantations, pine forests and blooming wild flowers around.

Balthali Mountain Resort was the base for the event’s 95 participants, 43 of whom took on the 100km challenge and the remainder a relatively easier but no less scenic 60km course. The distances were broken up quite evenly over the three days, with the last day being the shortest. Many participants hiked, rather than ran, the course – all the better to enjoy and soak in the stunning location.

Tong Wu (10:05:05), seventh overall and first in the women’s 18-29 age-group in the 60km event, says the race started out tough but got easier over time. “The first day was hard and it gradually got better over the last days. Running back was really spectacular on the last day.”

Wu says she would highly recommend her friends to join the event. Allison Burton-Parker (11:42:47), winner of the women’s 40-49 age-group and 16^th overall in the 60km race, agrees – but cautions not to show up without doing consistent training. “I think it would be a very easy thing to say, ‘Oh that sound like fun’ and then sign up for it,” says Burton-Parker, “but when you train for it you get so much out of it, not only getting in physical shape but also actually being able to manage and enjoy the competition.”

Fouad Mouadine (7:45:24), winner of the 60km event, says it was one of his best experiences ever. “I really enjoyed it. Everything was perfect – the organisation, atmosphere and all the people. The landscape was beautiful. I will recommend the race to my friends who want to have a great experience of running, meeting people and having great time.”

Race participants also got to experience first-hand the actual situation of Nepal after the devastating earthquake in April 2015 that caused 8,856 deaths, 22,309 injuries, damaged nearly 900,000 homes and more than 30,000 classrooms. Contrary to many negative media reports, the event proves the country is still safe, beautiful and definitely worth visiting.

And for all the beauty and hospitality that Balthali offered participants of the Nepal Action Asia event, the race will be giving back to the local community: more than HK$15,000 has been raised for purchasing school books and supplies for some of the mountain villages around the Balthali region.

 

Full results of the Nepal Action Asia race at http://www.actionasiaevents.com/our-events/past-events/2016/2016-nepal/overview.html

Missed out on Nepal? Try another race in a similarly stunning and epic location: the Lijiang Action Asia three-day ultra-marathon taking place from April 1 to April 3, 2017. Both 100km and 60km courses offered. Details and registration at http://www.actionasiaevents.com/our-events/upcoming-events/2017-lijiang/overview.html#content

 

 

 

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