Local Wins Annapurna Circuit Race
Sherpa triumphs in Berghaus Yak Attack - is it the world's hardest race?
Posted: 31 March 2008
by Jon
A local athlete has won the Berghaus-sponsored Yak Attack
2008, a mixed event that takes place around the classic Annapurna
Circuit trekking route.
Anyone who's trekked the circuit will find the idea of either
running or mountain biking around it mind boggling. The event starts
off at just 800 metres, but on its hardest stage, just six or so days
into the race, crosses the 5500-metre Thorong La pass which is
includes long hours of steep and relentless climbing.
High on the Yak Attack course - is it the world's hardest
race
The relatively tight acclimatisation schedule definitely favours
local athletes, particularly Sherpas who have a physiological
adaptation to altitude, but four UK athletes took part in this year's
race.
They were all soundly beaten however by eventual winner Kaji
Sherpa who posted an unbelievable total time of 20 hours 52 minutes
and 43 seconds around the eight-day, 200-km course, a new record.
Mad stuff. If you were wondering about Berghaus's involvement in
the event, last year Berghaus-sponsored mountain biker Rob Jarman
took part in the first ever Yak Attack, something he describes as
'the hardest thing I've ever done'.
As part of their sponsorship for 2008, Berghaus provided free kit
to Nepalese athletes including Kaji Sherpa. For a visual taste of
what the event entails, you can see Rob's video diary from last year
at www.berghaus.com.
There are also more details of the event at www.yak-attack.co.uk
where you can sign up for the 2009 event...
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