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Everest Marathon 18 Days Half and full

Everest Marathon 18 Days Half and full

Everest Marathon 2026: Fast Facts

The World's Highest & Most Spectacular Ultra-Adventure Race

Feature Details
Trip Duration 18 Days (May 16 – June 03, 2026)
Trekking Period 14 Days (May 18 – May 31, 2026)
Race Date May 29, 2026 (Anniversary of the first Everest ascent)
Mode of Trekking Luxury Lodge & Tented Camping (at Base Camp)
Trekking Grade Moderate to Adventurous
Course Length 42.195 km / 26.2 Miles (Certified International Standard)
Start Point Everest Base Camp (5,364\text{m} / 17,598 ft)
Finish Point Namche Bazaar (3,446\text{m} / 11,306 ft)
Highest Point Kalapatthar (5,545\{m} / 18,200 ft) — Pre-race viewpoint
Race Categories 60km Extreme Ultra, 42km Full Marathon, 21km Half Marathon

THEM: Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon is "probably similar to the great Greek boy who ran all the way to Athens to inform the Greek king that they were about to be invaded…& saved Greece from being conquered… "

This master of all marathons begins with an across-the-board scenic flight from Kathmandu to Hillary’s Lukla, & then we get warmed up with a trek through pretty Sherpa villages with lovely views of the world’s highest silver grey peaks. The peaking point of this trip is Kalapatthar at 5545m/18200ft, from the summit of which we can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Himalayan peaks, the vast expanse of the Himalaya stretching for miles and glittering glaciers including Mt Everest, just a stone’s throw away from our marathon point…

We take a cool hike to Everest Base Camp from where the actual race begins. It’s a real pleasant hike while passing through the Everest National Park and Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital town that’s almost like sin city of Nevada for the mountains. We will also visit the Buddhist monasteries of Pangboche (one of the oldest in the area) and Thyangboche (the biggest in the whole Himalayas) which was re-built after being burnt to the ground years ago (apparently, as the tale goes, the old monk wanted to douse the electric heater by banging it on the floor).

The apple-of-the-eye in this trip is that it’s the only venture, apart from mountaineering expeditions, that has overnight camping right at the foot of towering Mt Everest near the infamous Khumbu Icefall. But then beauty of this kind also has its risks & the stakes are high…

Encounters Nepal, with great pleasure, joins Himalaya Expeditions Private Limited to welcome you all to Namche Bazaar for the 10th edition of the Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon (THEM). This breathtaking challenging event is conducted to commemorate the first successful ascent of Everest by Late Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and the Late Sir Edmund Hillary on 29th May, 1953.We consider the marathon a most fitting tribute to these two great men-icons of adventurous souls in the annals of human history and civilization.

The marathon starts from the Everest Base Camp (5364m/17,598ft) and finishes at Namche Bazaar (3446m/11306ft). The measured distance of the course is 42.195 km (26.2 miles) over rough mountain trails. It’s a mercurial marathon of destiny & taxes your physical strength to the limits of what your body can take…

All participants are requested to be in Nepal three weeks prior to the race for acclimatizing to the high altitude. This is ideal to physically & mentally set you up for a feat of this kind; it will also help your respiratory system before the jog on fluctuating elevations of your running course. This three-week holiday combines with a sightseeing tour in the capital, Kathmandu, a 14 day trek to the marathon starting point under medical supervision, an ascent of Kala Patthar (5545m/18200ft) for the best views of Everest. Although the course of the Everest Marathon is basically downhill, there are two steep uphill sections. There may be snow and ice on the upper part and considerable exposure along much of the marathon route. Experience of rough & tough terrain is vital. This is the world’s most extravagant race held annually.

ENCOUNTERS NEPAL encourages the bold & the brave to undertake this ‘MOTHER OF ALL MARATHONS’…& experience a wonderful sense of achievement, unimaginable success, & discover ‘you’ in unexpected ways for the better times ahead, both physically as well as mentally…& enjoy all this in the TRUE SPIRIT OF SUBLIME ADVENTURE…that is absolutely unimaginable anywhere else on planet earth…

SUPER EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

Highest marathon ON EARTH

Run from Everest Base Camp to Namche Bazaar

Held annually since 2003

Overnight camp at Everest Base Camp…It’s a breathtaking thrill…

Accurately measured course and full marshalling

Warm, friendly locals and exceptional highlander hospitality…it’s all footloose & fancy free…you’ll love it up here…

Spectacular arrays of Himalaya ranges and dramatic landscapes

Amazing treks through the Sherpa heartland

Gripping trek through pristine alpine forests and high valleys…the landscapes literally gear you up for the race of all races…

Spectacular views of Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse from the summit of Kalapatthar

Enjoyable flights along the Himalaya ranges and peak…this is an experience of a whole life span…

Mt Everest Marathon in Nepal .Many runners done

 

Everest Marathon 2026: Official Athletic Itinerary

Standard Olympic Distance: 42.195 km (26.2 miles)

Date Destination Altitude Event & Activity Highlights
May 16 Kathmandu 1,300\text{m} Arrival: Briefing on high-altitude logistics & kit check.
May 17 Kathmandu 1,300\text{m} Sightseeing: UNESCO Heritage Tour (Patan & Swayambhu).
May 18 Phakding 2,652\text{m} Fly to Lukla: 45-min panoramic flight; 3hr warm-up trek.
May 19 Namche Bazaar 3,440\text{m} Gate to Everest: Cross high bridges over the Dudh Koshi.
May 20 Namche Bazaar 3,440\text{m} Acclimatization: Visit the Everest Photo Gallery & Museum.
May 21 Thyangboche 3,867\text{m} Monastery Hike: Scenic trail with 360° Himalayan views.
May 22 Dingboche 4,358\text{m} Imja Valley: Trek beneath the north face of Ama Dablam.
May 23 Dingboche 4,358\text{m} Rest Day: Hike to Chhukhung (4,730\text{m}) to push red blood cells.
May 24 Lobuche 4,928\text{m} Moraine Walk: Pass memorials of legendary Everest climbers.
May 25 Gorakshep 5,160\text{m} The High Outpost: Rocky trek along the Khumbu Glacier.
May 26 Kalapatthar 5,545\text{m} Summit View: Sunrise over Everest; practice run at altitude.
May 27 Base Camp 5,357\text{m} EBC Arrival: Settle into the world’s highest camp.
May 28 Base Camp 5,357\text{m} Expo Day: Final medical checks, bib distribution & briefing.
May 29 RACE DAY Start The Grand Event: Base Camp to Namche Bazaar (42.195 {km}).
May 30 Monjo 2,835\text{m} Recovery: Retrace steps to the lower, oxygen-rich forests.
May 31 Lukla 2,800\text{m} Celebration: Farewell dinner & party with the Sherpa team.
June 01 Kathmandu 1,300\text{m} Return Flight: Transfer to hotel; free afternoon for massage.
June 02 Kathmandu 1,300\text{m} Buffer Day: Shopping in Thamel; optional farewell dinner.
June 03 Departure -- International Departure: Transfer to Airport.

Price Includes:

  • Everest National Park Entry Permits,Marathon fee 

  • Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS)

  • Kathmandu-Lukla -Kathmandu air ticket (USD +NRS)

  • Three Meals a Day: breakfast, lunch, dinner including tea/coffee with meals time (one per meal)

  • One Guide: English speaking, insured, registered, well-equipped, his salary, food and accommodation

  • One porter insured registered, well-equipped, salary, food and accommodation

  • Accommodation (shared) in a tea house lodge 

  • Safe drinking water
    Emergency care service

Price Excludes:

  • Bar & beverage bills,
  • Personal expenses. bottled water, desserts, shower, insurance, rescue,  personal clothing,
  • Any additional services requested and tips to the staff.

Q1: What is the starting point of the Everest Marathon?

  • A: The race starts at the Khumbu Icefall, right next to the Everest Base Camp (5,364m), and finishes at Namche Bazaar (3,440m).

Q2: Do I need to be a professional runner?

  • A: While the race is grueling, we offer categories for Full (42km), Half (21km), and Ultra (70km). We recommend participants have experience with high-altitude trekking or distance running.

Q3: How do I prepare for the altitude?

  • A: Our 18-day package includes a 14-day slow trek to Base Camp for natural acclimatization. This is critical to prevent AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness).

Q4: Is the Everest Marathon a "Green Event"?

  • A: Yes, Encounters Nepal follows a MIT and  "Leave No Trace" policy. We provide waste management and support the "Plant a Tree" initiative in the Khumbu region.

Q5: What is the race date for 2026?

  • A: The race is traditionally held on May 29th every year to commemorate the first ascent of Mt. Everest by Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary.