LEGEND OF MUSTANG173km. 9,555m of ascent. One runner. One unforgettable Himalayan journey.

The Mustang Trail Race is a 8-stage, high altitude trail race through the culturally Tibetan, trans-Himalayan region of Nepal. It was held this year from 28th March to 9th April and I was one of 33 runners from 8 different nationalities who stood on the start line.

The race was extremely tough and challenging but one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I ran and walked a total distance of 173 kilometres with 9555 metres of ascent and reached a maximum altitude of 4300 metres (breathing 60% of the oxygen that I would breathe at sea level). But at the same time I was surrounded by the most incredible scenery. Unlike much of Nepal (green and forested) it is dry, with vast open spaces with red cliffs, incredible rock formations  - sculpted over hundreds of years by the weather - and wide valleys but at all times surrounded by the majestic snow capped Himalayan mountains.

In addition to the desert like landscape I encountered isolated and ancient monasteries, caves in the rocks which were once inhabited, walled towns, prayer wheels and prayer flags. The race organisers are fully aware of the culture that we were passing through and allowed us to experience it to the full by stopping and starting each individuals clock at certain significant viewing points in order to gain the maximum from the experience.

Each day followed a similar pattern. An early breakfast was followed by making sure that my running vest was packed with appropriate clothing for the day along with the supplied lunch and any other nutrition that I needed. The rest of my luggage was packed into a 50 litre provided bag and transported to the next stop over venue. Each night we stayed in local “hotels” and tea houses (basic in the extreme). The start was any time between 6.30 and 9 am and then we were away covering distances from 13k to 28k, running along rocky trails and across bridges suspended across dried out river beds which swayed as I proceeded across them.

I think it was particularly tough in part because of the altitude but also because of the sustained climbs - at times I would have a constant climb covering 1000 metres over a distance of 10k without any significant descent.

To add to the difficulty every day the winds would build up in the late morning / early afternoon and I guess they probably reached 20 to 30 mph. Although Upper Mustang is dry and dessert like I woke on the morning of the 5th stage to find that several centimetres of snow had fallen overnight. As a result on the 7th day at the top of the pass at 4000 metres and looking forward to a comfortable descent I encountered thawing snow and a muddy trail with the mud clinging to my shoes and obliterating the tread. Not a good idea with narrow trails and steep drops to either side. And then on the final day as I again approached a pass at 4000 metres I found myself in blizzard conditions with one competitor starting to show signs of hypothermia.

Crossing the finishing line was one of the highlights of my life to be followed that evening by a presentation ceremony where I not only received my finishing medal but a large medallion stating “legend” - awarded to me as significantly the oldest competitor and the first person over 70 to have run the event. And also the finishing banner with messages and signed by all the other contestants

I cannot praise the organisers enough. Everything was taken care of. There was a team of 16 supporting us with trail markers (impossible to get lost), a chef, a doctor, a photographer and numerous others providing a complete service so that all I had to do was run.

This has to be high on anyone’s bucket list. Because of injuries it took me three years from entering to actually taking part and I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.

If you want further details follow the link below. This will lead you to other links - the two charities that I have raised money for (over £4k each so far), details of The Mustang Trail Race, my daily blog and a You Tube slideshow that I have put together of the event as I experienced it.

linktr.ee/stevecushMustang