Jordi Gamito of The Elements made history at the Everest Trail Race on 13th November 2018. He was the very first overseas participants to ever win the event despite the local runner’s participation. From the very beginning, the Platja d’Aro runner took the opportunity to place himself at the front and managed to maintain his first position while leaving a huge gap of approximately 2:30 hours from the three runner-ups.
When Gamito arrived at Lukla after 4:22:30 of the race, he was seen with his teammate Manu Vilaseca, also from The Elements. With this incredible win, it adds onto his amazing year of records where he had obtained podiums at other big races such as the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB), Gran Raid Isla Reunion and Ultra Pirineu.
Sergio Arias, who gave his all during the race, was behind with a timing of 1:53:28 when Gamito finished. Following up was Joan Soler, with a timing of 2:47:06 when Gamito finished, defended his podium place against local Nepal Pasang Sherpa and took the third place with an impressive last day attack. Coming in fourth place was Pasang Sherpa who was just behind Joan Soler with a timing of 2:56:08 when Gamito finished.
In the women’s side, Purnimaya Rai did a splendid job maintaining the lead position ever since the second stage. After the Pikey Peak stage, which was the highest point of the event at 4100 metres over sea level, Rai constantly gained time and distance against Manu Vilaseca, a Brazilian runner and Rebecca Ferry, a British runner. Both came in second, with a time of 4:22:29, and third, with a time of 5:07:58, place respectively.
Despite those who did not manage to snatch a place on the podium, everyone’s performance was spectacular. This was a dedication to the very first Nepali who conquered Mount Everest in 1993 but end up losing her life by falling during the descent.
The efforts, rigorous training, the hours of the competition itself, the ascending and descending routes, the partnership, the cold, the wind, the altitude, the good and bad moments, everything mixes up at Lukla finish line is one of the most emotional atmospheres that is impossible to find in any other event.
Indeed the climate has been rough during the different stages, heavily dense fog at the beginning of the race and the cold winds were predominant with constant decreasing of temperature. However, all participants, except one, managed to finish the race within the time period and it was the greatest take away that one can feel while returning home.
This wonderful experience will be remembered for a long while the pain and suffering will not be forgotten.
