Go Beyond Challenge have some well known and respected races in their portfolio – Country to Capital has traditionally started off the ultra running year for 16 years now. The Thames Trot, Shires and Spires and Rose of the Shires are all well established ultras in the heart of England that many know and love.
Now Simon, the director of Go Beyond, has created an entirely new event. Capital to Country Multi Day Ultra in Nepal.
He explains on his website why:
“In November 2022 my wife and I took part in an organised sightseeing trip to Nepal and this was topped off by a half marathon or marathon in the foothills. We have fallen in love with Nepal, its beautiful, kind and friendly people and it’s amazing scenery and want to share this magical place with you. The other side to this is supporting the local community, now I’d rather not just give donations so the event will employ a team of predominately local people and pay them well. Also we will buy as much of the event equipment as possible locally. Which for me means that we all win. I have tried to explain the idea of a self sufficient race to our team leader Binay Lama who is horrified at the thought of not being able to care for your every need! I have compromised and said that he can make you coffey (sic) if he wants to!”
Simon also wants to offer a multi day event that doesn’t require a small mortgage to pay for it. If you want a great value adventure, this is one to look at.
Run through the mesmerising Nepalese foothills with the Himalaya as your backdrop and immersing yourself in the local culture of Nepal whilst challenging yourself with approximately a marathon a day.
Your adventure starts with an early morning visit to the World Heritage Site of the Monkey Temple or Swayambhunath in the west of Kathmandu City. Here you will warm up with the locals before returning to the hotel for breakfast and the bus ride to Sanku. The historic ancient town of Sanku in the north eastern corner of Kathmandu valley, will be our starting point for the epic journey through the spectacular Nepalese foothills.
Following jeep tracks cut into the hillsides, incredible tree covered hills and breathtaking drops, your journey will take you through a diverse mixture of towns and villages and into areas that tourists don’t normally get to see. Expect a warm welcome and some jaw dropping temples and holy sites. Panoramas of lush vegetation and snow-capped peaks in the distance are more than worth the challenging ascents!
You will be staying in pre-prepared campsites for the first 3 nights, and then the relative luxury of the village bunk house/tents on nights 4 and 5. On the morning of day 5, you will be awoken by the sound of the chanting monk who will be blessing the mountains and the runners – you will complete the challenge of the final day before the traditional evening meal, cooked by the local ladies in the village.
Throughout your adventure you will be taken care of by Go Beyond’s fantastic local race manager and his team who literally know the area like the back of their hands. This challenge will give you an incredible insight into the Nepalese culture.
You will finish with a short downhill walk to the bus and some time to explore Kathmandu before our farewell meal − the perfect end after an epic adventure!
Go Beyond are taking only a small team from England and equipment (trackers) that we can’t source within the country – everything else is bought locally and they are paying their local team well so that they give back to Nepal in a positive way.
This article has been sponsored by Go Beyond Challenge International
