An ordinary person would take 20 days to reach Bumthang from Gasa on foot, according to the Tourism Council of Bhutan. But 30 runners are looking forward to complete it in five days during the Snowman race scheduled on October 13. Snowman race is a high altitude ultra-marathon, challenging the world’s fittest and most elite runners to help raise awareness on the impacts of climate change.
The trail starts from Gasa to Bumthang. Some of the areas lie more than 5,000 meters above sea level. The race will follow a 222-kilometre high-altitude trekking route called the Snowman Trek. According to the Secretariat, ordinary trekkers take up to 20 days to complete the trail.
A real-time GPS Live tracking system, an offline GPS app for the runners and route markers will enable the ultra-runners to be on track and safe.
The initial trial run was held in 2019. The pandemic delayed the race which was supposed to happen in 2020.
22 international elite runners and eight Bhutanese runners will look to conquer one of the world’s most grueling paths on foot.
“We believe that as far as the preparations are concerned by the athletes, it is on track. And similarly, on the logistic front, we are very much on track with all the support from different stakeholders. The race itself is just a message concerning climate change, creating awareness and advocacy on the need to do more by the global community to take this seriously and come up with remedial measures,” said Dorji Dhradhul, Head of Snowman Race Secretariat.
He added the race will help boost tourism in the country.
“Since it is a global event, naturally when this race is being promoted, Bhutan will be promoted. So indirectly, it will help in promoting tourism as well.”
Basic amenities such as health facilities, emergency services, halting points, and a weather forecasting team will be readied for the race which begins on October 13.
Against the backdrop of staggering mountains and majestic glaciers, the race aspires to bring the world’s attention to climate change and its impacts.
Tshering Dendup
