The ultimate race for climate action
The athletes underwent a nutrition workshop, wildlife encounter workshop, nutrition workshop, and navigation workshop for the Snowman Race; the world’s toughest ultra-marathon.
The race flagged off early at 6 am from Gasa Dzong base on October 13, coinciding with the 11th Royal Wedding Anniversary.
On the eve of the snowman race, Luke Nelson, an endurance athlete stated, “Tomorrow morning. For more than three years, I have been preparing for tomorrow morning. At 6:00 am we will depart the Gasa Dzong and run into the Bhutanese Himalaya.”
“5 days of running will take us high into the mountains and show us the impacts of climate change firsthand,” he added.
Gasa Lam Neten and monks performed rituals and read out prayers for successful race completion before the players set off for the race. In fact, some players woke up around 3 am and prepared themselves mentally for the big day.
Foreign Minister, Dr. Tandi Dorji as a chief guest, lit the butter lamp and offered prayers seeking divine intervention for a safe and successful snowman race at Gasa Dzong courtyard on October 13.
The world’s top 29 runners comprising nine Bhutanese athletes and 20 international athletes from the United States of America (USA), Canada, Japan, Australia, France, Germany, Singapore, Tanzania, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom (UK) are selected to run on 203 kilometers (km) high altitude trekking route called ‘snowman trek’.
12 women and 17 men from across the world are attempting to run on the wildest and most challenging trek routes calling out to the world for climate action. The youngest runner is a 23-year-old Bhutanese woman and the oldest runner is a 52-year-old German woman.
The press release from the Snowman Race Secretariat claimed that ordinary trekkers normally take around three weeks to complete. “The trail has been completed by fewer people than having submitted Mt. Everest,” stated the press release.
“This race is the initiative of His Majesty the King of Bhutan to bring awareness to the climate emergency. We will be running through the pristine Himalayan wilderness where the effects of climate change will be seen,” said Ashly Winchester, one of the runners.
She added, “I am prepared as I can be. Last-minute gear decisions are made and I’m confident with the gear that I’ve chosen.”
The press release highlighted that this ultra-marathon on the unseen eastern Himalayan range aims to generate greater awareness about the climate emergency.
“The route of the snowman race is a visible proof of the effects of climate change- receding glaciers, ecosystem disruption, and socioeconomic impact on nomadic life,” stated the Snowman Race’s officials.
Ashly also stated: “It’s hard to describe what I’m feeling. This trip has already been life-changing and eye-opening, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the next five days will be even more transformational,” added Ashly
Nate Bender one of the runners claimed that he’s got a hard time processing a mix of new experiences. However, he said, “I do know I’m more committed than ever to move well through the course and take this experience back home to fuel my climate advocacy. I have a deep sense of duty to fulfill the trust and investment the Bhutanese have placed in me and all the other runners. Because, truly, the need for climate action we see here and the investment we’ve been gifted are both enormous.”
“Bhutan’s fragile ecosystems make it highly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change,” stated the press release. Bhutan is exposed annually to increasing calamities such as landslides, unpredictable weather changes, and rapidly changing ecosystems.
The event is expected to highlight the alarmingly real effects of global warming threatening ecosystems of the high Himalayas.
According to the press release, the race will navigate through the most challenging trekking route in Bhutan. The route stretches through the remotest and seldom-visited nomadic communities, yet mesmerizing places nestled among the glaciers like Lunana.
Nate Bender, “And it looks to be through truly adventurous conditions. Deep mud, rain, countless stream crossings, gusty wind on the passes, snow, you name it. Perfect for seeing a yeti,”
The runners will traverse the base of Mt. Gangkar Phuensum, the world’s highest unclimbed mountain and Bhutan’s tallest peak at 7,570 meters above sea level (masl).
The trails also stretch through two largest national parks namely Jigme Dorji National Park and Wangchuck Centennial Park, a biodiversity-rich protected area. The athletes were also briefed on the possibility of encountering wild animals on the course.
Race Director, Luis Escobar on the Snowman Race’s Instagram post said, “My role here is as a consultant and international race director. I have successfully conducted many trail races across the US and beyond. This is by far the most dangerous and complex. With the full support and commitment of the Bhutanese Amateur Athletic Federation, Snowman Race Secretariat, and Board of Directors, I am confident that we will host a successful Race.”
Nine national athletes are Choki Dorji, Gawa Zangpo, Sangay, Sangay Wangchuk, Tashi Chozom, Karma Yangden, Kinzang Lhamo, Lhamo, and Kinley Gyeltshen. “The Bhutanese athletes are selected through competitions. They are provided physical training before the final selection,” said Snowman Race officials.
“The nine Bhutanese runners are so strong and so kind. They’ve welcomed us with unbelievable generosity. And the safety plans and logistics that the Bhutan government has put in place to keep 29 of us safe throughout the race are world-class,” said Nate Bender.
International athletes are Gabriel Garcia, Roxanne Vogel, Luke Nelson, Sara Keyes, Ian Sharman Ashley Winchester, Emily Keddie, Nate Bender, Meghan Hicks, and Gabe Joyes from the USA. Yoann Gilbert from France, Takuya Wakoaka Frok and Wataru Lino from Japan, Simon Mtuy from Tanzania, Claire Perks and Nicki Rehn from Canada, Philipp Mosimann from the UK, Holly Zimmermann from Germany, Matthew Chapman from New Zealand, Kashin Leow from Singapore, Matthias Kastner from Switzerland, David Mendelsohn from Australia.
The five-day race finish line is at Bumthang and the event will conclude with Bhutan Climate Action Conclave on October 18.
The athletes will share their experiences from the race as the experts, government leaders, and officials from across the world will discuss climate emergencies and actions virtually on October 18.
The athletes underwent a nutrition workshop, wildlife encounter workshop, nutrition workshop, and navigation workshop for the Snowman Race; the world’s toughest ultra-marathon.
The race flagged off early at 6 am from Gasa Dzong base on October 13, coinciding with the 11th Royal Wedding Anniversary.
On the eve of the snowman race, Luke Nelson, an endurance athlete stated, “Tomorrow morning. For more than three years, I have been preparing for tomorrow morning. At 6:00 am we will depart the Gasa Dzong and run into the Bhutanese Himalaya.”
“5 days of running will take us high into the mountains and show us the impacts of climate change firsthand,” he added.
Gasa Lam Neten and monks performed rituals and read out prayers for successful race completion before the players set off for the race. In fact, some players woke up around 3 am and prepared themselves mentally for the big day.
Foreign Minister, Dr. Tandi Dorji as a chief guest, lit the butter lamp and offered prayers seeking divine intervention for a safe and successful snowman race at Gasa Dzong courtyard on October 13.
The world’s top 29 runners comprising nine Bhutanese athletes and 20 international athletes from the United States of America (USA), Canada, Japan, Australia, France, Germany, Singapore, Tanzania, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom (UK) are selected to run on 203 kilometers (km) high altitude trekking route called ‘snowman trek’.
12 women and 17 men from across the world are attempting to run on the wildest and most challenging trek routes calling out to the world for climate action. The youngest runner is a 23-year-old Bhutanese woman and the oldest runner is a 52-year-old German woman.
The press release from the Snowman Race Secretariat claimed that ordinary trekkers normally take around three weeks to complete. “The trail has been completed by fewer people than having submitted Mt. Everest,” stated the press release.
“This race is the initiative of His Majesty the King of Bhutan to bring awareness to the climate emergency. We will be running through the pristine Himalayan wilderness where the effects of climate change will be seen,” said Ashly Winchester, one of the runners.
She added, “I am prepared as I can be. Last-minute gear decisions are made and I’m confident with the gear that I’ve chosen.”
The press release highlighted that this ultra-marathon on the unseen eastern Himalayan range aims to generate greater awareness about the climate emergency.
“The route of the snowman race is a visible proof of the effects of climate change- receding glaciers, ecosystem disruption, and socioeconomic impact on nomadic life,” stated the Snowman Race’s officials.
Ashly also stated: “It’s hard to describe what I’m feeling. This trip has already been life-changing and eye-opening, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the next five days will be even more transformational,” added Ashly
Nate Bender one of the runners claimed that he’s got a hard time processing a mix of new experiences. However, he said, “I do know I’m more committed than ever to move well through the course and take this experience back home to fuel my climate advocacy. I have a deep sense of duty to fulfill the trust and investment the Bhutanese have placed in me and all the other runners. Because, truly, the need for climate action we see here and the investment we’ve been gifted are both enormous.”
“Bhutan’s fragile ecosystems make it highly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change,” stated the press release. Bhutan is exposed annually to increasing calamities such as landslides, unpredictable weather changes, and rapidly changing ecosystems.
The event is expected to highlight the alarmingly real effects of global warming threatening ecosystems of the high Himalayas.
According to the press release, the race will navigate through the most challenging trekking route in Bhutan. The route stretches through the remotest and seldom-visited nomadic communities, yet mesmerizing places nestled among the glaciers like Lunana.
Nate Bender, “And it looks to be through truly adventurous conditions. Deep mud, rain, countless stream crossings, gusty wind on the passes, snow, you name it. Perfect for seeing a yeti,”
The runners will traverse the base of Mt. Gangkar Phuensum, the world’s highest unclimbed mountain and Bhutan’s tallest peak at 7,570 meters above sea level (masl).
The trails also stretch through two largest national parks namely Jigme Dorji National Park and Wangchuck Centennial Park, a biodiversity-rich protected area. The athletes were also briefed on the possibility of encountering wild animals on the course.
Race Director, Luis Escobar on the Snowman Race’s Instagram post said, “My role here is as a consultant and international race director. I have successfully conducted many trail races across the US and beyond. This is by far the most dangerous and complex. With the full support and commitment of the Bhutanese Amateur Athletic Federation, Snowman Race Secretariat, and Board of Directors, I am confident that we will host a successful Race.”
Nine national athletes are Choki Dorji, Gawa Zangpo, Sangay, Sangay Wangchuk, Tashi Chozom, Karma Yangden, Kinzang Lhamo, Lhamo, and Kinley Gyeltshen. “The Bhutanese athletes are selected through competitions. They are provided physical training before the final selection,” said Snowman Race officials.
“The nine Bhutanese runners are so strong and so kind. They’ve welcomed us with unbelievable generosity. And the safety plans and logistics that the Bhutan government has put in place to keep 29 of us safe throughout the race are world-class,” said Nate Bender.
International athletes are Gabriel Garcia, Roxanne Vogel, Luke Nelson, Sara Keyes, Ian Sharman Ashley Winchester, Emily Keddie, Nate Bender, Meghan Hicks, and Gabe Joyes from the USA. Yoann Gilbert from France, Takuya Wakoaka Frok and Wataru Lino from Japan, Simon Mtuy from Tanzania, Claire Perks and Nicki Rehn from Canada, Philipp Mosimann from the UK, Holly Zimmermann from Germany, Matthew Chapman from New Zealand, Kashin Leow from Singapore, Matthias Kastner from Switzerland, David Mendelsohn from Australia.
The five-day race finish line is at Bumthang and the event will conclude with Bhutan Climate Action Conclave on October 18.
The athletes will share their experiences from the race as the experts, government leaders, and officials from across the world will discuss climate emergencies and actions virtually on October 18.
