Samjhana Rai wins Everest Marathon

PRASHANT ACHARYA, EOI, SILIGURI, JUNE 8, 2023 : International Gorkha Marathoner Samjhana Rai was felicitated by Upper Bagdogra Gram Panchayat Pradhan Sanjib Sinha on Thursday after winning the Half Marathon title in Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon held in Solukhumbu, Nepal recently. 

Rai times three hours 19 minutes and 48 seconds to complete the 21-km race while Emma Williams of Australia finished second and Alexander Burtsev of Russia. 

A resident of Bagdogra, Samjhana Rai was given a warm welcome by ex-servicemen and social workers on her return from Nepal. She said: “Running at a high attitude ismy passion and I will be achieving the highest goal to make India pride in upcoming international events if I get a good coach and financial support from the government or other organizations.” Rai also suggested youth to start running or practice Yoga to remain fit instead of developing addictions to drugs and mobile games.

Sanjib Sinha, Pradhan of Upper Bagdogra Gram Panchayat appreciated Rai for achieving the prestigious international award. Everest Marathon is an international high altitude adventure sports event held on May 29 every year from Mt Everest Base Camp crisscrossing the high Sherpa trails of Khumbu valley. 

This event celebrates the first ascent of Mt. Everest by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary on May 29, 1953.

The 21Km Marathon is the shortest distance in Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon which is three-seven digits (7 +7+7 km), which has a very high spiritual meaning in Buddhism. We add another seven for 7 meters, making our marathon 21km + 7 m to spiritualize run connected with Lord Buddha’s Life. By doing this we also earn some spiritual value in our RUN for our Everest Marathon Runners.

Starting from Dingboche the tracks of the half marathon end at Namche Bazar. Mostly downhill, the track is a trekking trail. Hence, we recommend some good trail running shoes. The half marathon is an exciting yet adventurous run that starts exactly on the half point of the Full Marathon.

Tenzing-Hilary Everest Marathon, the World’s Highest Marathon, was started in 2003 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first successful ascent to the top of the world, Mt. Everest, and to commemorate two of the most iconic legends of the mountains, Late Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Late Sir Edmund Hilary. 

Everest Marathon has always carried an ambition of promoting trail running in Nepal. After 14 years since its start, 

Everest Marathon has grown to become one of the biggest trails running events in Nepal and has attracted huge participation from all around the world. Since its start in 2003, local participants have consistently notched first place in the Everest Marathon. 

In recent years, not only have the local participants accomplished success in the competitions, but few names have made the headlines in the international competitions as well.