The 19th Himalayan Run & Trek International Annual Events (Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race) went off successfully during Oct. 26 – 30, 2009 in Darjeeling area, the North-East Himalayan ranges. Adventurers from fifteen countries including USA, UK, Germany, Spain, South Africa, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Argentina, Mexico, Australia, Netherlands, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Denmark etc took part in this novel event.   The Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race has been distinguished as one of the world’s most challenging and toughest endurance events with ‘AAA’ rating.

Mr. Gabriel Santamaria Manso (Spain) won the 19^th International Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race with a time of 15 Hrs. 22 minutes got the privilege to receive the Sant Nagpal Baba Memorial Gold Award with the first prize.  The second and third position won by Mr. James Antony Lowe (UK) with a time of 17 Hrs. 07 Minutes and Mr. Beungsik Ahn (Korea) with a time of 17 Hrs. 56 Minutes respectively.  Among the females, Ms. Charlotte Louisa Penfold (UK) with an overall time of 18 Hrs. 43 Minutes won the first prize. The second position won by Ms. Nahila Hernandez (Mexico) with a time of 21 Hrs. 24 Minutes and Ms. Tracey Robertson (UK) with a time of 22 Hrs. 57 Minutes declared the third winner.

The oldest participant was Mr. Rex William Whittle from Hongkong (69 years) while Award for environmental mission was presented to Ms. Hiroko Eovino from Japan. The race finish rate was 97.67%.

The course traversed vast tea gardens, isolated jungles and small villages. Participants also got opportunity to have the spectacular view of Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu (four out of five highest peaks in the world).  According to the runners, the race trail is most beautiful and exciting. It also offers a rare and once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy the cold breezes that hover around the rhododendron forests which holds more than four thousand types of flowering plants and three hundred varieties of rare ferns. 

Simultaneously the 15th Mt. Everest Challenge Marathon also took place on the third day of the Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race. 

Mr. C. S. Pandey was the Race Director of the events. According to him, “eco-friendly adventure sport is the best way to enhance ones’ spirits and brighten life. Becoming one with nature is the most satiating experience one can have, as it helps to keep the body and mind in perfect condition.” The central ambition behind this eco adventure sport mission is to preserve the environment and thousands year old local heritage of Indian Himalaya for future generation.

The 20th Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race will take place during October 23 - 30, 2010 (Eight Days / Seven Nights and from Bagdogra airport to Bagdogra airport), at Darjeeling, INDIA.

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The 15^th International Annual Mt. Everest Challenge Marathon was successfully held on October 28, 2009 at Darjeeling. It started at Sandakphu National Park with the participants from fifteen countries (USA, UK, Germany, Spain, South Africa, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Argentina, Mexico, Australia, Netherlands, Switzerland, Hongkong, Denmark etc) negotiated the trails from Sandakphu to Rimbik via Phalut.  The trail course varies from 12,000 ft to 6,350 ft.

Mr. Gabriel Santamaria Manso (Spain) won the first position with a time of 4 Hrs. 40 minutes. The second position went to Mr. James Antony Lowe (UK) & Mr. Beungsik Ahn (Korea) with 5 Hrs. 16 minutes and the third position went to Mr. Jason Anthony Rita (Australia) & Mr. Yen Po Chen (Taiwan) with 5 Hrs. 54 minutes. Among females, Ms. Charlotte Louisa Penfold (UK) was the first woman to finish the marathon with an over all time of 6 Hrs. 10 minutes. Second position went to Ms. Nahila Hernandez (Mexico) with 6 Hrs. 29 minutes and the third woman to finish was Ms. Tracey Robertson (UK) with a time of 6 Hrs. 48 minutes. Walkers got a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the serene and magnificent beauty of trail at own pace.

Participants seemed to agree with Runners World magazine in describing the Mt. Everest Challenge Marathon as the “World’s Most Beautiful Marathon”. Mr. C.S.Pandey was the Race Director. The race finish rate was 100%.

The course traversed isolated jungles and small villages and participants got an opportunity to have the spectacular view of Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu (four out of five highest peaks in the world).  The event was held simultaneously with the Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race.

The 16^th International Annual Mt. Everest Challenge Marathon is scheduled to be held on October 27, 2010 in Darjeeling, India.

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