Capital To Country Multi Day Ultra

UK Race Director Simon Hollis says the following about this new race:

“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!”

This is a multi day running event in Nepal that doesn’t require a small mortgage to pay for it. If you want a great value adventure, this is one to book.

Capital To Country Multi Day Ultra Website.

More about the event

Run through the mesmerising Nepalese foothills with the mountains as your backdrop, and immerse yourself in the local culture of Nepal.  This is a self sufficient race until the end of Day five, you will be carrying all your own food and kit so choose wisely!

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 in to 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!

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 be itching to 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 our  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.

We’ll finish with a short down hill walk to the bus and some time to explore Kathmandu before our farewell meal − the perfect end after an epic adventure!

We are taking only a small team with us from England and equipment (trackers) that we can’t source within the country – everything else is bought locally and we are paying our local team well so we giveback to Nepal in a positive way.

Price for 2024 – £350 initial deposit (non refundable) one payment of £425 due by 31st July, one payment of £450 due by the 31st August and one payment of £450 due by the 30th September  – Total Payable – £1650

STAGE ONE – Swayambhunath-Sankhu- Chhauki Banjayang-Nagarkot-Kasibanjayang. Approx 25 miles

We start our tour with an early morning cultural experience at an ancient religious World Heritage Site called Swayambhunath, or The Monkey Temple as it is better known.  From here you can watch the sun rising up over Kathmandu, and watch the locals come out to make a ritual circumnavigation of the stupa, spin the prayer wheels and take their morning exercise. Around 6:30 am it’s back to hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast it’s a 45 minute bus drive from our hotel to East Kathmandu, to a place called Sankhu the start our event. Sankhu is a historical ancient town located in the north-eastern corner of the Kathmandu Valley, which is about 17 km from the city centre of Kathmandu.  The people who live here are traditionally called  Newars. From Sankhu (4500 ft) to Jhule (6531ft) we have to run up hill. From Jhule to Kattike Banjayang is easier but from Kattike (5769ft) to Tourist site Nagarkot (6353ft) is another climb and then from there is mostly down hills and flat to  Kasibanjayang. – Overnight camping

STAGE TWO  – Kasibanjayang- Dobas-Dhulikhel- Dhulikhel View Point- Kavre Banjayang- Namobuddha- Dapchha- Kakre- Bhakundebesi. Approx 25 miles

Today our running trail is mostly up and down with some incredible views.  We have to run around 1 mile on black top road and you will have to carefully  cross the main road as well, there will be a marshal there to help.
Overnight camping

STAGE THREE – Bhakundebesi- Kanpur-Kot Timal- Narayanthan- Tholoparsil- Dulgu- Chovatar- Mukpatar. Approx 27 miles

The view of the mountains  from the running trail is just spectacular. Of course you will also see the dramatic landscapes of  terraced farmland.  The culture and traditions of the Tamang community are the main attraction of this stage. Although, in Temal area there are other castes or communities (Braman, Chhetri, Dalit(lower cast) as well,  but the majority of people living here are Tamang from the historic Tamang Empire .
Overnight camping

STAGE FOUR – Mukpatar-Titretar-Tilchaur-Yougar-Mechhe-Longsal-Kaldunga- Lama Home. Approx 24 miles

Admire the stunning natural beauty around you, mixed with an unspoiled ethnic life style. The most significant attraction of the region is its exciting rural community, friendly and affectionate people. Enjoy the majestic view of Gauri Shankar (7134m/23405ft) and the Himalayan range of Langtang  and a multitude of small peaks

STAGE FIVE –  Lama Trail marathon. Approx 27 miles

You will be woken by the sound of the chanting monk who will be blessing the mountains and the runners.  This route will take you in the sacred footsteps of the Grand Master Buddha through the heart of traditional Nepalese villages