Bhutan can do it | Kuensel Online

So what did we be taught from the primary Snowman Race? That, when impressed with inventive steering, such a feat is feasible… that Bhutanese athletes can compete with one of the best… that the standard ngar (mettle/grit) has not but been dilapidated by the so known as growth course of. 

Bhutanese runners – each women and men – dominated the race from the begin to end. However there’s way more to be taught from the phenomenon. The Snowman Race didn’t show that Bhutanese runners are one of the best… it proved that they are often. 

The circumstances of the world’s highest ultramarathon favoured our runners. Bhutanese, born and raised on this terrain, they’d a significant residence benefit. The 21-23 day Snowman Trek is understood to be probably the most tough trek on earth. The Snowman Race covers probably the most tough part of this stretch in 5 days. The worldwide veterans struggled with altitudes the place the typical traveler requires oxygen tanks, and components of the path just isn’t a path in any sense of the phrase. 

On the opposite facet of the dimensions, Bhutanese athletes are much less educated and fewer outfitted for skilled races. Some have erratic lengthy distance working expertise and educated full time for about three months earlier than the race. None of them are full time skilled athletes. Solely days after the race, troopers had been again on responsibility, a herder again along with her herds, a vacationer information main her group. Which means that, for the race, they largely drew on uncooked energy and pure bodily and psychological conditioning. 

We recall one other phenomenon, when Kenyan distance runners appeared on the scene to dominate worldwide marathons and nonetheless maintain on to the file. We additionally know tales of veteran marathoners who visited Bhutan and had been amazed by the highland youth who carried their baggage and stored up with them. 

The Snowman Race didn’t obtain the media consideration it deserved. It seems that we had been higher at internet hosting it than at promoting it. That is one other lesson as we revamp the tourism coverage of excessive worth low quantity. However the attain of social media was picked up sufficient to tempt some big-time runners. Going by queries acquired in Bhutan from achieved ultramarathoners, the Snowman Race guarantees new heights. 

“The Bhutanese runners are extraordinary athletes,” stated Luis Escobar, the Worldwide Race Director of the Snowman Race who predicts that this yr’s success will draw the eye of the path working world and hold attracting one of the best of one of the best. Those that had been skeptical a couple of first-time race in such a distant place can be reassured by the secure and profitable occasion.

Not one of the Bhutanese athletes endure delusions of stardom. The primary 4 males concluded the race with a click on of the heels in salute and a respectful bow. Throughout meals and different occasions for the runners, the Bhutanese athletes had been all the time modestly final within the queue. That is reassuring at a time when  television-influenced Bhutanese opponents are studying exaggerated celebratory gestures. 

Gawa, the general winner, is a Royal Physique Guard who runs when he has the chance to affix races – he trains in his personal outing of curiosity. Pelpen (Sergeant) Sangay Wangchuk of the Royal Bhutan Military (RBA), who got here second, is a bodily teacher within the Navy Coaching Centre. The third within the males’s race, Sangay, is a Gopa (Lance Corporal) within the Commando wing of the RBA. All of them are full time troopers, half time runners.

The feminine winner, Karma Yangdon, can declare to be wealthy and well-known by Laya’s requirements, having earned the prize cash and medals, however is more than pleased to be part of the group on the Laya Highland Pageant. Karma’s profile just isn’t totally different from the typical Laya lady. The 40-year previous has not been to highschool and speaks solely Dzongkha. Like all Layap girls, she is just too busy to follow as a result of she has to gather firewood, preserve the home, feed the yak herd, and gather cordyceps.

A not fully unknown development in Laya, Karma was beforehand married to an alcoholic who as soon as stabbed her, leaving her fully bed-ridden for 2 months. Additionally not surprisingly, Karma was not capable of sleep through the race so she watched Bhutanese films on her telephone at night time. Not solely does Karma run with out pacing herself, she eats when she’s hungry and doesn’t plan her meals in a protracted distance race. Requested if she was the runner who requested for meals on reaching the ending line in Bumthang “Sure”, she stated, “I used to be ravenous.”

Luis Escobar stated that it was time to allow Bhutanese runners to participate in internationally famed races, for instance, the excessive elevation Onerous Rock 100 in Colorado, the Western States 100-mile endurance run, and the Ledville Path 100 in the US.

 It is a good approach to strengthen Bhutan’s small voice in an enormous world. 

Contributed by 

Dasho Kinley Dorji