I'VE DONE IT!
It was billed as "The Highest and Hardest Marathon in the World"- and they weren't kidding!
Making it to the start of the marathon, never mind finishing in well under my anticipated time was just the icing on the cake of an fantastic trip to Nepal!
Over 70 of us gathered in Kathmandu to take part, where it was stressed that the marathon was just one day of our trip. But we then spent 20 days trekking to acclimatise for race day! We first trekked up the Gokyo valley, where I was lucky (and healthy!) enough to ascend Gokyo Ri (4791m), and stayed at the summit long enough to watch a breathtaking sunset over Everest. We then decended to Khumjung before trekking up the Khumbu Valley to the old Everest Base Camp at Gorak Shep, and again I was lucky enough to be able to ascend Kala Pattar (5623m) for the magical view of the Khumbu Icefall, Everest, Llotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Pumori, to name but a few of the world's highest mountains.
Race day dawned cold but clear, and we shuffled over the frozen lake to scramble up the steep glacial moraine at the start. It was to be a day of extreme highs and lows, both literally and mentally, but thanks to the wonderful team of marshals, medics, and group leaders, we all made the start, and most people finished with enough energy to join in the post-race celebrations in Namche Bazaar!
We decended to Lukla for the flight back to Kathmandu elated to have the race behind us, but also sad to leave the mountains. We also had to say our goodbyes after the presentation dinner, but the memories will last a long, long time, as will many of the good freindships formed.
I'm delighted to have reached my fundraising target with all your help - but for those of you who might still want to add to the total, the lines are still open! Both The Everest Marathon Fund and Yorkhill Children's Foundation will get their equal share. The people of Nepal helped make the trip so special, with their wide smiles and happy nature, so I'm delighted that they will benefit, particularly the amazing trekking staff who helped get us on the trek. Perhaps some of the children passing through Yorkhill will see it for themselves some day too!
Namaste!
Raised:
94%
Raised so far: £1,642.00
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Well done - is this a new career? Donation by Aileen Walker on 04/01/06 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Congratulations Lesley !! What a fabulous experience. Donation by Ian Tempest on 24/12/05 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Good luck Lesley - superb effort - Kilmacomic Donation by Hamish Mitchell on 21/11/05 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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All the best Lesley! Donation by Dylan on 28/10/05 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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..... but only if you do it in under 4 hours :-) Donation by Chris Phillips on 28/10/05 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Good luck Donation by Liam Ireland on 27/10/05 |
£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid |
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Have a great trip - but don't trip up ! Donation by Anonymous on 24/10/05 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Ian Miller on 23/10/05 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Support, encouragement and best wishes from NZ. Go Lesley!! Donation by The Kiwi Taylors on 18/10/05 |
£40.00 |
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Remember - Pain is just weakness leaving the body Donation by Paul Moulton on 11/10/05 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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well done - puts the rest of us to shame! Donation by ian kavanagh on 06/10/05 |
£20.00 |
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Don't forget your kukri, watch out for yetis and don't run too fast, it's a long way down! Donation by Mike Norton on 05/10/05 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Graham McLeod on 05/10/05 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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A brilliant way to celebrate your birthday! Good luck Leslie! Donation by Liz Bierman on 05/10/05 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Scott A Grant on 03/10/05 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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Very Jelous! Good luck! Donation by Kenneth Heney on 30/09/05 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Rob P on 30/09/05 |
£65.00 + £18.33 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Alan Carruthers on 27/09/05 |
£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Brenda Jones on 27/09/05 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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never mind the running, what about a jump? Donation by Anonymous on 27/09/05 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Good luck, life's just a downhill struggle! Donation by Anonymous on 26/09/05 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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best of luck... this sounds like a fantastic adventure- and for a worthy cause. It's got it all. Donation by Ray McKinney on 26/09/05 |
£20.00 |
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Best of luck Donation by Anonymous on 26/09/05 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Good luck and try not to fall off Donation by Anonymous on 21/09/05 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Try Skis it might be esier, Good Luck. Donation by Bill Brownlie on 21/09/05 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
| * Total raised online: | £675.00 |
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| Offline donations: | £967.00 |
| Mobile donations: | £0.00 |
| Total Raised: | £1,642.00 |
| Gift Aid plus supplement: | £167.82 |
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