Annapurna Mandala Trail

What: 260 km alpine ultramarathon
Distance: , Ultramarathon
Where: Muktinath, , Nepal
When: 04/03/2009
Website: http://www.basecamptrek.com

The Annapurna Mandala Trail 2008 is organized by Base Trek Camp & Expéditions, nepalese trek agency based in Kathmandu, Nepal. The race director race is Nil Gurung. The Annapurna Mandala Trail is opened to men and women over 23 years of age. The competition is in stages and it will be run on footpaths over a distance of 260 km with 12.500m of altitude ascent and 13.870 m of altitude descent. The challenge is divided into eight stages. It will be preceded by four link stages (80 km, + 4000 m, – 800 m) in order to join the base Camp of Annapurnas, located at 4.130 m, from where the departure of the AMT 2008 will be given. This four link stages will be useful, also, for acclimatization.
It should be noted that for security reasons, the ascent of Muktinath (3.820 m) at Thorong Pass (5.416 m) will be a linked stage (10 km). Competitors will be able to run and walk using poles/sticks but taking care not to injure anyone.
Competitors are solely responsible for beginning each stage, using a card marked with the departure point, arrival point and control point.
At the end of the first stage, two groups will be formed : Group 1 (competitors in positions 1-20) and Group 2 (positions 21-40) and two starts will be arranged as of the beginning of stage two. It should be noted that these groups will change throughout the race, since the competitor’s classification will be used to form the two groups.
Around the Annapurnas the only way to get around is on foot and consequently there is a local population which runners may call upon to ask for assistance during the race. In short, it is very difficult to get lost in this region unless you do it on purpose. On the other hand, depending on choices made during the race, you could do many more kilometres or spend much more time trying to find the right trail. This however, is one of the charms of such runs in the wilderness.