14 May Race across the World… it’s good, but it’s no Capital to Country!
If, like me, you’re always glued to the activities of the intrepid duos who take on the BBC’s Race Across the World, then you might have been interested to see that series five of the programme is taking in the sights and sounds of Nepal.
For those who don’t know, the show – currently airing on the BBC – features five couples undertaking the trip of a lifetime, this time taking in three of Asia’s most varied countries – China, Nepal and India.
They have do so without the usual travel luxuries, like smartphones and bank cards.
It reminds me just a little bit of the challenge our runners take on during the five-day, 123-mile Capital to Country Ultra Marathon we hold every year.
I say a bit. Of course, Capital to Country is just a tad more epic, beautiful and challenging!
This multi-day classic, compared by one previous competitor as a cross between The Marathon des Sables and UTMB, starts in the bustling Nepalese capital of Kathmandu and runs through the mesmerising Nepalese foothills with the mountains as an awe-inspiring backdrop.
It offers entrants the chance to immerse themselves in the culture of Nepal, as well as presenting them with a genuine physical challenge in a unique environment.
This comprehensive report in Run, Tri, Bike magazine about the first ever Capital to Country – which was held in 2023 – about sums it up.
If you choose to take the event on, you will be taken care of by our fantastic local race manager and his team, who know the area like the back of their hands.
We only take a small team with us from England, along with minimal equipment and trackers that we can’t source in Nepal. Everything else is bought locally and we are paying our local team well in order to help give something back to Nepal in a positive way.
This year’s Capital to Country Ultra Marathon takes place between November 24-30 and there are still places available – but hurry, spots are limited to just 20 entrants.
Don’t hesitate. Sign-up for your own ‘race across the world’ – complete with temples, snow-capped peaks and me performing the role of our very own John Hannah!