Annapurna Mandala Trail, skyrunning first edition

The first edition of the Annapurna Mandala Trail took place on 13-26 March 2001

April 2001

The first edition of the Annapurna Mandala Trail took place around the Himalayan Annapurna massif from 13-26 March 2001. Strictly “by invitation only”, this 9 stage race is considered one of the most punishing courses in the world. 360 km long, it includes a 17000m height gain and 16000m height loss, while five of the nine stages are situated above 3000m.The course reaches a staggering 5416m at Thorong pass, and consequently the athletes’ condition was monitored by a doctor throughout the race.

One of the 40 sky runners that took part in this great, absurd, demanding and fantastic race was Amerigo Puntelli, a member of the Team North Face Italy, who placed 26th overall. Puntelli, who described the Annapurna Mandala Trail as “breathtaking” and “the hardest extreme ultramarathon”, drew on his vast experience of desert marathons to successfully complete the testing course. And although worlds apart, the desert and the Himalayan giants are united, according to the Italian, by their extraordinary natural beauty.

Reproduced below is an exerpt from Amerigo Puntelli’s diary:

“The fourth stage is modified, no Lake Tilicho since a landslide has ripped away the path, so the check point is now at the Thare Gomp monastry at 3790m. The stage turns out to be a killer: one really strong athlete has to give up due to severe cardiac problems, and many decide not to look for this unfindable check point. But I don’t, I manage to find it then continue for Phedi (4420m) together with my friend Francis. I arrive exhausted but satisfied – it’s snowing, I drink a beer, don’t eat anything and crawl into my sleeping bag. I turn on my walkman and fall asleep. I’m the only one in my room but I don’t care. I just sleep.”

Top left: Amerigo Puntelli at Thorong Pass (5416m), the highest point on the course.
Top: during the competition
Photo arch. A. Puntelli

> Annapurna Mandala Trail

Period
13-26/03/2001
Cousre
9 stages around the Annapurna massif (Nepal)
Total distance
360 km
Height gain
17000m
Height loss
16000m
Max. altitude
Passo Thorong (5416m)

> Final results

1) Nar Bahadur Shah
2) Babu Raja Shrestha
3) Jannick Juchereau