Australia’s Peter Counsell is breaking the age barrier to join the Everest Marathon at the age of 65. The mountain lover has once again proved that age and altitude are just numbers.
Mr. Counsell is in love with the high mountains. He loves spending time with them. Although he is from Batemans Bay on NSW’s South Coast, he has spent 40 years trekking in Nepal and working as a trekking guide, leader, tour guide, and others.
He assists travelers in trekking, rafting, hiking, etc. Coming from a low-altitude beach area, he loves being in the high altitudes. Thus, his favorite tours also include the high-altitude tours to Mt. Everest, Annapurna, and the Langtang regions.
Inspiration from Nepalese
One day, while coming back from the Everest Base Camp Trek, Mr. Counsell saw a framed t-shirt on the wall of this booked accommodation. Just beside the t-shirt was a certificate of appreciation belonging to Phurba Sherpa, who bagged the fourth prize in the 2018 Everest Marathon.
“How could this be possible?” Mr. Counsell murmured. “Who would do that?” But, deep down, he was blown away by knowing about the high-altitude marathon. He couldn’t leave the place without knowing the entire story. So, he met Phurba Sherpa. After the first meeting, he said, “The seed was sown.”
Peter Counsell with Nepalese Sherpa | Photo abc.net.au
Peter Counsell was 61 years old at that time. To that point, he had been a participant in 25 marathons. He didn’t even think of running another, as he believed he had retired from running marathons. But the story of the Everest Marathon didn’t let him sit idle.
“This captured my imagination,” he said. “Imagine being able to combine my passion for Nepal with being able to run a marathon.”
Everest Marathon, Goal and Aspirations
The Everest Marathon is held on May 29th on Everest day each year to remember the first summit of Mt. Everest on May 29th, 1953.
This is the 19th annual Tenzing Hillary Mount Everest Marathon, which will start on Wednesday, May 29th from the base camp just below the Khumbu Icefall. With the new increased height of Mount Everest, this time, the slogan for the 2022 Everest Marathon will be, “New Higher Mount Everest Marathon”. This is to celebrate the new height of the world’s tallest peak.
The high altitude competition is not just a race, it’s a lifetime opportunity to hike to the Everest Base Camp and run downhill until Namche. “My only goal is to beat a Nepali porter who carries 20 or 30 kilograms on his back,” Mr. Counsell said.
“If I can achieve that, I’ll be very happy.”
Peter training for Marathon | Photo Peter Counsell to Australian Board Casting Corporation
The fastest person who has completed the marathon is Deepak Rai, a Nepalese runner, in 3 hours and 28 minutes. Of the international runners, Antonie Bonfils from France has the fastest record of 4 hours and 50 minutes.
Taking part in the race requires a certain amount of capital. “There are no senior discounts, unfortunately,” he said.
Mr. Peter Counsell is raising money for the Australian Himalayan Foundation (AHF). The foundation helps promote the education and health sectors and also trains teachers. Likewise, AHF is also involved in rebuilding after the earthquake that hit Nepal on April 25, 2015. He said in despair that the country he loves needs funds after the massive earthquake and the COVID.
From sea level to the base camp of the world’s highest mountain, Everest
“To be honest, it’s almost impossible to train for the conditions you experience,” he said.”
The Everest Marathon is not as easy as people are talking about it. The marathon starts from the Everest Base Camp at the height of 5364 m. Most people give up before reaching the starting line, penetrating the thin year on a 12-day trek. The oxygen levels there are half what they are on the beaches in Australia, where Mr. Counsell comes from.
“Harebrained, mad.” That probably sums it up,” he said.
It’s pretty weird when you’re going from sea level, training for something that starts at 5,500 meters.” There’s a bit of a gap there. ”
“As we go progressively downhill, theoretically, it should get easier to breathe. ”
It’s a 42.195 km walk downhill to Namche Bazaar. As it’s the highest marathon in the world, physical fitness is a must. But, Peter Counsel said the mental barrier is a harder challenge.
“But at the end of the day, you sit back with an Everest beer and reminisce about the day and have a tremendous sense of achievement.”
Peter Counsel ran his first marathon at the age of 38. Now, he has taken part in 25 marathons. However, Everest Marathon will be the most prized for him.
He hopes his adventure will inspire people to get a Nepalese visa stamp on their passports.
“Nepal relies on the tourism industry and they’re doing it tough. Hopefully, I can encourage people to get back over there.” He said.
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