EVEREST TRAIL RACE
Suman Kulung Takes Victory On The Final Stage
Press Release / 14.11.2017
Luis Alberto Hernando lead the general classification every day until the very end, in his duel with Suman Kulung, but it was the Nepali runner who won the last stage and the overall victory. His compatriot ChheChee Sherpa was the winner in the women's category.
Luis Alberto Hernando (adidas) knew that he needed at least a 10 minute advantage to win the final victory of the Everest Trail Race, Presented by The Elements Pure Coconut Water. To lead the competition every day and have almost 6 and half minutes lead was not enough.
He knew that because the Nepali Suman Kulung (Traça Esquí I Esports De Muntanya) was in second position and just behind him in the general classification. And when descending has predominated (delete) the local athlete has always been faster.
Hernando was defending his first position with a 6 minute and 26 second lead on the last 30km stage in which Kulung was the favourite due to the technical descents, a terrain where the Nepali runs at his best. The journey started well for the runner from Burgos, who was only 1 minute and 35 seconds back at the first visual check point.
In the village of Namche Bazar Hernando lost his way, but never gave up in a last stage with a very frenetic end. He almost gained the victory after making his best effort every day in a close fought duel until the very last moment. At the end he finished second in the overall ranking, the Norwegian Sondre Amdahl was third and Jordi Gamito (The Elements Pure Coconut Water) was fourth.
In the women's ranking there was no surprise and the local runner ChheChee Sherpa has won the fourth consecutive stage victory and the overall title. Ester Alves (The Elements Pure Coconut Water) finished second, and Elisabet Barnes completed the podium.
On the finish line in Lukla, where the Everest Base Camp Trek starts, we have experienced very emotional moments, with the runners hugging each other, and thanking the organization for their efforts over days, 160km, and more that 30,000m of elevation gain and loss. The runners have repeated many times: "It is a very tough race, the toughest I've ever done in my life".
They have experienced a unique and amazing landscape within the Nepal Himalaya and some are already thinking about coming back.
You can see the final results and more information at http://www.everesttrailrace.com
SleepMonsters
