Lizzy Hawker and Nepal

Lizzy Hawker could be described as a friend of Nepal and she knows its trails even in the dark. In October 2007 she and Stephen Pyke completed the run from Everest base-camp to Kathmandu in a record time. If you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning to do a short run, read on and be inspired:Ed Douglas’ article about Lizzy: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/jul/26/lizzy-hawker-endurance-runner-athlete

Two years ago, along with Stephen Pyke, she set a new record for running from Everest Base Camp to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu – a distance of 302km with 10,000m of ascent and 14,000m of descent – in three days, two hours, seven minutes. It’s astounding to recall that women were first allowed to run an Olympic marathon only in 1984. Hawker managed on just four hours’ sleep and came close to abandoning the run after her team lost the trail in the dark. And she did all this soon after reaching the summit of Ama Dablam, a difficult peak of 6,812m.

Lizzy’s own view of the run: http://www.planetfear.com/articles/Everest_Base_Camp_to_Kathmandu_at_a_Run__965.html

Our journey was an incredible endurance challenge amongst some of the most awe inspiring and beautiful mountains we may ever have the fortune to be amongst. It truly needed us to run with our hearts and our souls as well as our head and our legs. The entire journey from the lowlands to the summit heights of the mountains and back at a run was an incredible exploration – physically, mentally and spiritually. It was a privilege to have the opportunity of such an exceptional adventure and experience. ‘Success’ on the mountain or on the run, was not what mattered. As in life itself it is the journey not the destination.

And by the way, you can still make a donation here to CAN Nepal, a very worth cause.

http://www.justgiving.com/run-everestbc-kathmandu

See Lizzy’s website here:

http://www.lizzyhawker.com/