The request for the race register form or for any information may be addressed to : Bruno Poirier
Conditions of registration
The races are opened to men and women, older than 23 years. The following criteria are highly recommended to apply:
- Experience of trail running,
- Experience of multi-stage race,
- Experience of high altitude (4,800 m and above) or test of hypoxia in a laboratory corresponding to an altitude of 5,000 m,
- Experience of orientation/adventure race (use of map and compass),
- Significant result in trail running or adventure race.
Local support
A local technical team employed by a Nepalese agency (Base Camp Trek) and based in Kathmandu takes care of the logistics during the race. Along the route, this team deals with time keeping at checkpoints and arrival, lodging and hotel booking, breakfast and diner.
Carrying equipment, food and drinks
During each stage, runners must be self-sufficient. They manage their own equipment, carry the mandatory equipment imposed by the organization as well as necessary food and drinks for the day.
Lodging, breakfast and diner are taken care of by the organization during the whole race. Meals are mostly based on starch (rice, pasta, potatoes, cereals). Runners deal with their lunch and pay for it. They can either carry food from the start of the stage or buy some on their way. In villages and lodges, one can easily find biscuits, chocolate bars, and dal bhat (lentils and rice). Mineral water may be found in some villages. Alternatively, runners can drink water from streams and rivers as soon as it is treated with Iodine, Micropur or equivalent water disinfection products.
Orientation and race organization
Runners must be fully autonomous during each stage. They use a map to go from departure point to arrival point via one or several checkpoints. Between these points, runners can choose their route and must respect the instructions of the race director. Runners are allowed to run or walk with poles/sticks but should take care not to injure anyone. At the end of each stage, runners are split into two groups: Group 1 from first to 15th, and Group 2 from 16th. The next day, Group 2 will start 30 minutes earlier than Group 1.
In Nepal, the main way to move is walking. Runners will therefore meet generally a lot of local people on the trails and are allowed to ask for assistance. Some areas are however deprived of village and human life and runners have to rely on their ability to orientate and make their own judgment. Since the route of EVEREST SKY RACE, ANNAPURNA MANDALA TRAIL and HIMAL RACE is not marked out, a good reading of the maps is essential. Depending on their choices, runners may use much longer ways and waste a lot of time trying to find the right path. But this is one of the charms of these races!
Mandatory equipment
Runners must have the following mandatory equipment with them at all times during the race. Bags may be controlled during the race. The absence of a mandatory item will lead to a penalty of two hours as well as the obligation of getting the complete pack prior to continue.
- backpack,
- sleeping bag (-10°C),
- rain jacket (Gore Tex or equivalent),
- survival blanket,
- headlamp with spare batteries,
- whistle,
- mirror,
- first-aid kit including strap and personal drugs (participants should be autonomous enough to take the drugs they may need against usual infections in Asia and in the mountains),
- mandatory drugs (a list of will be sent to participants prior to the race),
- two-liter flask,
- carabineer,
- crampons,
- three (3) meters of dynamic rope,
- emergency food intake of 2,000 calories.
Poles/sticks are recommended.
A helmet can be required depending on the route.
The participant is free to carry any additional equipment.
Runners’ Solidarity Charter
A solidarity charter is applicable to all the races, requiring participants to help each other in case of emergency. Not helping another runner may lead to elimination. Runners should therefore know basics about life saving. Runners should also respect each other during and after stages, whatever their relationships are.
Runners experiencing mountain sickness, heart/breathing problems, injuries due to a fall, or hypothermia, must warn the nearest person. If a runner meets another runner with such troubles, he/she must contact the technical team, assist him/her as best as possible, and in any case wait for additional assistance to join them before going on. Waiting time will be deducted from the total time and a one-minute bonus will be awarded for every five minutes spent looking for assistance. The time lost will be measured based on the runners’ estimation.
Any breach or deliberate misinterpretation of the content of this charter will be penalized by immediate disqualification without appeal. The disqualified runner will be excluded from the race and will have to return to Kathmandu by his/her own means.