Pokhara International Marathon

I ran this race last year, in 2020, when it was one of the first races organised in Nepal since the whole Covid-19 pandemic started. The crowd and support were incredible. In addition to the official water stations there were women's groups, youth clubs and schools out, cheering, distributing water, dancing and singing every 100 meters or so for the majority of the course. The course is not totally flat, and the road is not particularly well made in a few places, so don't expect to set lightening fast PBs, but the crowd and support will make this a great experience for any runner.

The 42km route goes around the new airport toward the end, where the support is slightly more spread out and the road is not always great, so be prepared for a tough last few miles.

Race day organisation was very good, despite the roads not being closed. Marshals and local police very great and the local support was brilliant. It’s a great location and if run on a perfectly clear day the views would be spectacular. A small field (approx 100 runners) meaning it’s gets very spread out but the pit and back nature means you see everyone and encouragement between runners was incredible.

Tough route with a good chunk of uphill but takes you to villages and paths you’d never see otherwise.