Stupa to Stupa ultramaraton: from Swayambhu to Bouddha
On March 24, the STUPA TO STUPA STAGE was held in the Kathmandu Valley …
– 54 km ultramarathon running mainly along the paths of tourist paths. The route connects the two most important Buddhist temples in Nepal and several Buddhist monasteries.
This year’s run to 41 km was led by Roman Evarts from Lithuania. Then he lost the route and eventually reached the finish line with time 8:44:31. The run was won by nineteen-year-old Sunamaya Budha from Nepal reaching the Bouddh stupa during 5:36:29. ‘Sunamaya has a great running style, she just flies,’ said Roman Evarts.
Below are some details from the run, photos below.
Ultramarathon on the 54 km route began almost planned – at 6:14. 72 runners took off from the Swayambhu temple, 69 people finished the race in 12 hours.
The trail runs between two large stupas that are for many valuable cult objects and a world heritage of ancient culture approved by UNESCO. An extremely inspiring, highly aesthetic experience, and at the same time requiring a gentle, regular effort.
Route
The route is about 53 km. It is dominated by forest paths, 20% of the route includes a packed road, and 5% is asphalt or similar surface. It includes 6 control points plus a point at the finish. Start at 6.00 am at the Swayambunath stupa. The route is well marked with orange or pink fluorescent ribbons. It can be easily completed in a constant 5 km rhythm of the march and be in the finish for up to 12 hours. The ending – 6.00 in the evening, this time is dark.
The start is planned at 5:30 at Stupa Swayambhu.
Immediately 7 km of the hardest and the only serious climbing day at Jamacho Gumba.
CP1 – Jamacho
Then a long way down through Nagarjun Jungle – about 13 km to Mudhu.
CP2 – Mudkhu – CP2 is rolled at 10.30
You continue along the 3 km ridge from Mudkh to Tinpiple.
Tinpiple store
You have 8 km to the next point. Now climbing to Tarkeshwor Mandir to welcome Sadhu who lives there. Continuing, you pass the military camp and run to Gurje Bhanjyang. Here is a tap with clean water.
CP3 – Gurje Bhanjyang – rolled up at 13.00
Hence a 5.5 km rocky road to Dandagaon.
CP4 – Dandagaon – rolled-up point at 2pm
Continue along the narrow path and then the rocky road to Nagi Gumba – 8 km.
CP5 – Naked Gumba
From Nagi Gumba you run 7 km down the ridge to Kopan Gumba.
CP6 – Gumba Kopan
The last 2.5 km goes through a dusty road, where traffic can be big.
Meta – Stupa Boudhanath – movement can be large, so try, but also watch out for others. At the end, make 3 ‘kora’ around the stupa. Ending the race at 19.00
From the Bouddha stupa you can easily reach by minibus or taxi to any part of the city. For runners there is information about the possibility of departing from the route at each of the five points.
Charges
The buy-in amount is comparable with similar runs in Asia, for example in Hong Kong. Fees are higher for foreigners, thanks to which we can maximize the share of locals, providing some of them with subsidized places. Thanks to the fact that we can maximize participation, we promote sport in Nepal, which for many is a great opportunity to draw their family out of poverty. Perhaps in this way we will be able to find new world champions. Nepalese people living in the high regions of the country are regional natural born runners.
Fee for runners from abroad:
registration of ‘fresh roast’ – until the end of January: € 46 / US $ 55
registration ‘medium grind’ – until the end of February: € 56 / US $ 67.8
registration ‘latte’ – in March: € 66 / US $ 81
Fee for local runners:
students, people with low income have special privileges: 1000 rs or by option
registration of ‘fresh roast’ – until the end of January: 1500 rs
registration of ‘medium grind’ – until the end of February: 2000
registration ‘latte’ – in March: 2,400
The entry fee includes
- good quality – e.g. ‘Raidlight’ – running shirt
- runner’s number and safety pins
- running certificate
- snacks at checkpoints – including oatmeal bars, salty snacks, water and drinks
- regeneration meal after the run – Thukpa – vegetarian soup with noodles
- service and medical transport
- amazing experience of Nepalese culture
The entry fee does not include beer at the end – take your money to this end!
Categories and prizes
There are no age or ethnic categories, only traditional division between men and women. And so awards on the 53 km route:
1st place – 40,000 rs in the men category; 40,000 rs in the women’s category;
2nd place – 20,000 rs in the men category; 20,000 rs in the women’s category;
3rd place – 10,000 rs in the men category; 10,000 rs in the women’s category;
4th place – 5000 rs in the men category; 5,000 rs in the women’s category;
5th place – 3000 rs in the men category; 3000 rs in the women’s category;
Accommodation
You can organize it easily. Swayambhunath is an easily accessible place, because it is not far from the beltway, just a dozen minutes by taxi from Thamel. There are many hotels around the Swayambhu hill, and you can also find accommodation for long time in student prices.
The Stupa to Stupa poster is promoted by Mira Rai, a girl from the Kirati ethnic group inhabiting the eastern regions of Nepal. Its amazing and inspiring story can be read here – trailrunningnepal.org – Mira Rai
