To take part in the highest marathon in the world, we trek up the Khumbu and Gokyo valleys for 15 days before reaching the start at 5,180m. The marathon starts just below Everest Base Camp, where the cold can be extreme at the start time of 6am.

Surrounded by the highest mountains in the world, you run downhill, over glacial morraine, across suspension bridges spanning the ice-blue river and as the sun lights up a bright blue sky. Running downhill, loosing altitude, everything becomes easier and when you cross the finish line, you know that your Original Everest Marathon medal is very well earned.