Everest Marathon

The Everest Marathon, officially known as the Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon, is widely regarded as the highest marathon in the world and one of the most challenging endurance events on the planet. Held annually in Nepal’s Khumbu region, the race commemorates the first successful ascent of Mount Everest by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary on May 29, 1953. The event combines a multi-week Himalayan trekking expedition with an extreme-altitude marathon, creating an unforgettable experience that attracts adventurous runners from around the globe.

Unlike traditional road marathons, participants must first trek for nearly two weeks through the Everest region to acclimatize before reaching Everest Base Camp. The race begins at approximately 5,356 metres (17,572 feet) above sea level near the Khumbu Icefall and follows rugged mountain trails through Sherpa villages, glaciers, suspension bridges, and breathtaking Himalayan scenery before finishing in Namche Bazaar, the heart of the Sherpa homeland. The combination of altitude, technical terrain, and spectacular scenery makes it one of the world’s most iconic bucket-list races.