— This race is held in collaboration with the awesome AdventureCorps, organizers of the Badwater Ultra and many other races. —
The organizers of the Mustang Trail. The inaugural race was small with 13 competitors and proved an extremely enjoyable success with a unique mixture of manageable running distances at high altitudes, wonderful varied landscapes, rich Buddhist culture (the race checkpoints include Monasteries and caves). The second event attracted 25 competitors with serious runners from USA, Italy and Nepal along side strong Nepali athletes.
2015 will have two races on April 18th and a special alternative event held in October. Use the form below to enquire about the October event.
- 2014 race report – Roger Henke: rogerhenke.com/2014/05/18/2014-mustang-trail-race-wrap-up/
- 2014 race report – Andy Wellman: sanjuanmountainrunning.com/mustang-trail-race/
- 2014 race report – Guardian UK: theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-running-blog/2014/may/22/mustang-trail-race-nepalese-himalayas
You can see a selection of images which tell the story here: http://gallery.trailrunningnepal.org/
Andy Wellman on Stage 7.
I feared disappointment -Mustang is undoubtedly a hyped destination …. But I was blown away by the landscape, the villages, the trails, and the company. Apparently Mustang is much more powerful than any hype effect. – Roger Henke, NL, (Race number 19, 2014)
[The organisers] … put together an event, a shared experience and adventure, that felt as if it was simultaneously pieced together on the spot moment to moment, and yet also instilled the faith that absolutely nothing had been overlooked. Perfection was impossible to achieve here, and was never promised, but in that way there was no pressure for the experience to unfold any other way than exactly as it did – perfectly. – Andy Wellman, USA (Race number , 2014)
“The Mustang Trail Race has left an indelible mark on me. Everything good about trail running: cultural exploration, adventure, challenging oneself, and the camaraderie that comes from multi-day races, was present in huge quantities. Similarly to a great book, or amazing album, I could bore my friends to death by begging them to experience the Mustang Trail Race for themselves.” – Matt Moroz, UK
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- Stage 2, getting higher
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- Stage 2: getting lower
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- Cold wind on the pass, late afternoon.
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- Yam Kumari Rai, smiling as usual. 2nd woman overall.
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- Matt and Yam, hiking out of Konchockling
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- Bridge crossing. Beautiful prayer flags
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- Rare april snow
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- Rare april snow
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- Rare april snow, and a very blue sky. Monastery in Lo
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- Start at Luri, Stage 6.
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- Running in the wide open
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- River crossing, Yogini style
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- Symbolism of Mustang
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- Stage 7, the highlight stage, start with Phu and Upendra pushing already
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- Andy Wellman, amazed by the view
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- Andy Wellman, running
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- Tite
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- Close to the edge
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- Andy and Phu catching up
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- The final finesh
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- Nilgiri, the ever present blue mountain
Some images from the inaugural 2013 race, April 2013.
Useful links
Recap
| Date | Sat 17 Oct 2015 (until Fri 30 Oct 2015) |
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| Stages | 8 |
| Category | Multi-day / stage-races |
| Altitude | ~4250m |
| Distance | 190km |
| Elevation change | +/-8200m |
| Website | http://mustangtrailrace.com/ |
| Organiser | Trail Running Nepal |
