FAQ 常見問題

 

Nepal Action Asia 3-day Ultra Marathon - 2017

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Note that this document has been produced to answer frequently asked questions and to help you best prepare for the Nepal 3-day race.

In addition to this document, all participants should ensure that they read (prior to the race) all sections of the Nepal event page; which is listed on the Action Asia Events website. Event webpage link: Click here.

What equipment should I bring?

Please refer to the list of equipment on the Action Asia Events – Nepal event (equipment list) webpage. Please ensure that you bring all of the MANDATORY items listed. The RECOMMENDED items are optional but as the name suggests, highly recommended.

Equipment list webpage: click here.

Note: If you are looking to purchase last minute equipment, please head to the Action X Store in Sheung Wan.

Penalties apply for those who do not have MANDATORY equipment items

Please note that the Race Director has the right to impose time penalties or even disqualification for those participants that do not have MANDATORY equipment items on them for all three races. Your race pack will be checked every day post-race at the finish line and if you fail to have a mandatory equipment item, you may receive a time penalty (i.e. in Mongolia race in June, some runners received a 1-hour time penalty per item) or disqualification. The Mandatory equipment items are listed for your individual safety.

To view all of the Rules & Regulations, please click here.

Where can I find the trip itinerary?

Link: Click here.

What is included and what isn’t include?
Please refer to the Action Asia Events – Nepal event webpage, for a list of what is included and what isn’t included with the registration fees.

Link: Click here.

What do I have to send to Action Asia Events pre-race?
Flight Information

For those that have already booked their flights, please email payment@actionasiaevents.com with your full flight details, inclusive of arrival and departure times and flight number.

Accommodation Preferences

If you know other people that are participating in the race, please email payment@actionasiaevents.com with your preferred person who you would like to share accommodation with. Please note that most hotel rooms have two beds with a few singles and rooms of three.

What will be the overnight temperature? What is the temperature at the start of the race in the morning and what is the approximate temperature at the hottest part of the day?

Past Weather in Kathmandu Link: https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/nepal/kathmandu/historic?month=10&year=2016

However the average temperature in Nepal ranges between 10-25 degrees and the chances of rain is low.

 

 

Is a sleeping bag compulsory/necessary or are there bed sheets?

All beds have clean bed sheets, pillows and blankets however if you are really concerned, we recommend you to bring your sleeping bag for peace mind.

What training should I be doing between now and the event?

The key is to log in as many training hours as possible!

Michael Maddess (Nepal Race Director and renowned ultra-marathon runner) recommends that runners try to complete ‘Sandwich Training’. This type of training focuses on training over consecutive days.

So instead of training on alternate days (i.e. Monday, Wednesday and Friday) – like what most runners do - runners should focus on completing training on at least two back-to-back days. This way, your legs and body are better prepared for training on sore muscles and you’ll have some idea of what to expect and hopefully a few sessions on recovery. One good way of getting rid of the soreness in the muscles is to learn how to massage your legs with your elbows by pushing down on the sore areas and slowly rotating. Some runners like to use a wooden roll, others have brought a golf ball while some get their friends to help give them that extra touch. The idea is to get the lactic acid out of the muscles and be recovered by the following day.  

Lastly if you are in Hong Kong on Thursday, 28 Sept, there’s a training night at Cosman Health Group (19-25 Jervois St, Sheung Wan). You can listen to Michael Maddess (2^nd place 100km Trailwalker 11 hours 16 minutes) to get some training tips on both the competitive side and the leisure hiking side.

What kind of terrain will we be running across?

This year there will be no steep technical sections with the majority of the course made up of dirt single track trails and off road tracks through Nepalese villages. 

Do I need a specific pair of hiking or trail running shoes?

Running and trail shoes are ok. We recommend trail shoes in case it rains as wet grass and dirt tracks can get slippery. Trail shoes will have better grip.

Note: The Race Director advises all participants to NOT use a piece of clothing or equipment for the first time in Nepal. You should try that clothing/equipment first on some training runs. Ideally multiple times.

Is there dietary options for vegetarians or vegans?
Yes there are vegan and vegetarian options. FYI, the Race Director is also vegetarian.

What food is provided?
Breakfast in Kathmandu & race campsite Friday Oct 27-31, awards dinner Monday Oct 30. http://www.actionasiaevents.com/our-events/upcoming-events/2017-Nepal/event-info.html#content

Where should I meet the group if I am not taking the group flight?

If you arrive on 26 Oct, we will pick you up at the airport as long as you notify us by Oct 1 of your travel plan. If you are travelling in Nepal before the race, please meet us at the official hotel – Grand Hotel Nepal lobby (Click here for the exact location) at 10am on Oct 27. Bus will depart to race location village at 10am, approx. 5 hour drive (not including lunch).

Can I leave my luggage at the hotel and collect it after the race?

Yes, Action Asia offers the service at the Grand Hotel at the reception, please remember to ask for a tag and put your name and Action Asia under. 

What is provided at the checkpoints?
Water, bananas and oranges (could change depending on the season) are provided at each checkpoint.  

As listed on the Equipment List section of the Nepal Event page, participants are encouraged to bring snacks (nuts, trail mix, gels, energy bars etc.) for pre-race, during the race and/or post-race. Just please don’t leave empty wrappers on the course as we want to leave the location spotless clean and not upset the locals. (Recommend shopping for nuts, mussily, bars, etc. in Thamel, Kathmandu.)

You are recommended to bring electrolyzed tablets, Nuun tablets, Pocari sweat powder or sachet powder (e.g. HKD50 for 5 sachet powders in a box at supermarkets in Hong Kong, HKD100 for 10 Pocari sweat powder at Action X Store). Tablets are the easiest to use. The majority of participants use them as they are easy to store in front pockets.

How often (km) are the checkpoints?
A checkpoint will be once every 10km (approx.). Total 3 checkpoints every day.
How is the course marked?
The course will be marked with colored orange and pink ribbons for different distance and AAE signage. The Race Director will advise this at the race briefing on the night prior to each race.
How often will there be signage / ribbons?
Approximately every 100m unless very tight sections where there will more ribbons at a higher frequency. Please listen to the race briefing every night before the race to see if any changes to this.

Is there electricity to charge phones, GPS watch etc.
Each hotel room should have at least one electrify outlet however Nepal suffers from power outage regularly so lower your expectations.

Is there hot water?
Hotels have solar panel water heaters and when the weather is good (blue sky), the hot water usually lasts throughout the day (so cross your fingers for no clouds).
Is there a bar?
There is alcohol available for purchase on all nights of the race. You can buy alcohol at the hotel restaurants and outside shops at USD 1 (approx.) per beer. Please change your currency to Nepalese Rupees. 

How much should we budget for?

Budget amount depends on each individual participant. I.e. how much food or drinks they will purchase on each day.

How much Nepalese Rupees (NRS) should we budget to bring?

Each day 100 USD = NRS 10,250 should be enough unless you are a heavy drinker/eater…. or like treating your friends.

What is the elevation gain and loss each day?
A rough idea on the course would be:

Average elevation total gain each day is around 1500-2000m

Nepal 3 day stage race distances & elevation: (estimate to change but similiar as valley village below 1000m)

Ultra marathon category:(must be fit)

Day 1 - 41 km (1000m - 500m - 1500m - 1000m)

Day 2 - 39 km (1000m – 500m - 2000m - 1000m)

Day 3 - 21 km (1000m – 500m – 1000m)

Explorer (good for hiking)

Day 1 - 23 km (1000m - 500m - 1000m)

Day 2 - 18 km (1000m – 500m - 1000m)

Day 3 - 21 km (1000m – 500m – 1000m)

Course link: Click here

What other 3-day events does Action Asia Events host?

China (6-8 April, 2018)

Mongolia (15-17 June, 2018)

Donations for locals (volunteers & employees)

For every Action Asia Events (AAE) 3-day overseas race, AAE supports the local community in two-ways; 1) by providing employment opportunities for locals, and 2) providing donations (see Charity Fundraising section below).

As such, on the last day of the event the AAE Race Director will provide an opportunity for participants to make two donations, 1) donations to the local villagers who have assisted the race as employees & volunteers, and 2) an opportunity to provide at-race donations to Action Asia Foundation; of which will be donated to CWS (see Charity Fundraising section below).

Outside of the at-race donations, if you would like to make a direct donation either individually, via your family/friends or your employer, please email payment@actionasiaevents.com for details on how to make a charity donation (further information below) to Action Asia Foundation & CWS.

Charity Fundraising

We’ve been asked by some participants if they can fundraise for this event, the answer is YES!

Action Asia Events’ registered charity is the Action Asia Foundation (AAF). AAF was founded in 1997 and this year will again be fundraising for the Child Welfare Scheme (CWS) charity. CWS is a Hong Kong registered charity (registered since 2003) that raises funds to support its programs in Nepal. Nepal is the poorest country in Asia and is still recovering from the devastating earthquakes in 2015, which caused USD $7 billion worth of damage.

CWS currently supports 8 different major projects, with 5 different project partners. CWS projects focus on the areas of education (pre-school & school education, vocational training & job creation), health, mental illness, anti-trafficking. In previous years, AAF has raised money to fund a day-care centre and health facilities in remote villages in Nepal. CWS staff members will be making a short presentation at some stage during the 3-day trip. Please note that all donations over HKD $100 are tax deductible.

If you would like any further information about CWS, please email jake@cwshk.org or visit the website (www.cwshk.org). If you would like to read the CWS Annual Review, which provides a high-level review of the 2016 activities, please click here: www.cwshk.org/Portals/2/pdf/CWS%20HK_Annual%20Review%202016.pdf

Additionally, if you are staying in Nepal for a few days either before or after the race and would like to visit one of the CWS charity projects (projects are based in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Marpak and then various remote villages), please email jake@cwshk.org for further information and arrangements.

If you would like any further information about AAF and how you can donate, please email payment@actionasiaevents.com. 

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Should you have any further questions, please email enquiry@actionasiaevents.com.

We look forward to seeing you in Nepal!

 

Action Asia Events Team
www.actionasiaevents.com