British runner sets Everest record

British ultra runner Dr. Elizabeth Hawker has set a new world record running from the Mount Everest Base Camp to Kathmandu in just under three days.

Hawker completed the 320K distance in two days, 23 hours and 25 minutes, setting a new world record for the distance, according to the Hindustan Times. She started from the base camp – located at an altitude of 5360 metres about sea level – on Tuesday morning, and reached Kathmandu on Friday morning.

Hawker, 35, is a former world champion in the 100K distance, and broke her own world record for the run, which she set in 2007. This run was aimed at promoting trail running in Nepal.

“Nepal has huge potential for trail running, but it is not considered a sport here. My race will be an attempt to make people aware that Nepal is an incredible destination for this activity,” she had said in a press conference earlier this month.

Hawker’s run isn’t the only ultra event taking place at Everest this month. The first edition of the Everest Trail Race – a 160K foot race with six stages – is also currently happening in the area. The race allows runners to ascend and descent in the Himalayas. The fifth and sixth stages are set for Nov. 19 and 20.

In other ultra news, a state government in Australia hasn’t ruled out giving promotional funding to a controversial ultramarathon where two runners suffered life-threatening burns earlier this year.

According to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald, the government could still provide funding to the Racing the Planet ultra, although one official said the government hasn’t yet provided sponsorship money for the event and had not made a decision about future years.

In September, two women were competing in the 100K Kimberley Ultramarathon, part of the Racing the Planet series, when a bushfire crossed their path. The women were seriously injured in the blaze. Two other runners were also trapped by the fire, although their injuries were not life-threatening.