Seven international runners voluntarily withdraw from ultra-marathon race on the third day

New Delhi: Seven international runners have withdrawn from the Race. Five couldn't proceed from Narithang (the first aid station), and one could run only a few km from Narithang yesterday. One of them withdrew on the first day before reaching Narithang.

Bhutan is hosting the toughest ultra-marathon in the world. The Tourism Council of Bhutan announced that Snowman Race, the most ultra-challenging ultra-marathons, begins on October 13 and will conclude on October 17, 2022.

Officials said that the withdrawal of the athletes indicates how difficult the Race is. All athletes were in 'stable condition' and 'good spirit' yesterday.

Bhutan tourism ministry is now taking all foreign participants who withdraw to Bumthang tomorrow for the closing ceremony of the marathon race. A team of Snowman Race officials are in Gasa to receive them.

Meanwhile, Sangay Wangchuk, who was in the second position on the first day, is leading the Race. His timing is in 5hrs, 55mins and 23 secs. He was followed by Gawa Zangpo, who finished the Race in 5hrs, 59mins and 23 secs. Sangay came third for the last two days. Yesterday, he touched the finish line in 6hrs, 15mins and 31secs.

In the women's category, Karma Yangden from Laya was first to arrive at Lhedi in 8hrs and 30mins. Karma was in second place on an opening day.

The youngest runner Lhamo, reached the station in 9 hours and 14 minutes, followed by Kinzang Lhamo, who completed the Race in 9hrs and 31mins.

Today is one of the most challenging days in the Snowman Race, as athletes will have to cross the highest peak at Gophula, which is at an altitude of over 5,400 metres above sea level. Runners must reach Geche Wom, which is 43km from Lhedhi today. Yesterday, they ran from Narithang to Lhedhi, which is 44km.

Bhutan is hosting the toughest ultra-marathon in the world. The Tourism Council of Bhutan announced that Snowman Race, the most ultra-challenging ultra-marathons, begins on October 13 and will conclude on October 17, 2022.

The Race is an initiative the King of Bhutan took to generate awareness about the climate emergency and effects of global warming, particularly on the planet's most threatened ecosystems, such as those of the high Himalayas.

The competition has twenty-nine international athletes, including nine Bhutanese runners. The athletes are from the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, France, Germany, Singapore, Tanzania, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

The Race will navigate the most challenging trekking route in Bhutan, the Snowman Trail, passing through some of the most stunning areas in the Kingdom, including the remote Lunana area, home to nomadic herders living between glaciers.

Athletes will compete for over 203 kilometres across five days at an oxygen-sparse average height of 14,800 feet above sea level, with the highest point of 17,946 feet. The trail has been completed by fewer people than have summited Mount Everest and typically requires between 20-25 days to complete.

This run for the world is about climate change that is affecting countries like Bhutan. The Himalayas, also known as The Third Pole, are becoming increasingly volatile. Bhutan is saying to the world that climate change is a serious issue.