Mustang Trail Race 2017 Day 14

So to the last stage of the race - stage 8. A nice short 15k to the holy town of Mukinath. Ok it was short but we still had to climb over 1000 metres and cross a pass at 4100 metres so it was not going to be easy. 

We had another staggered start to the day with the same timings as before and the start was brutal, climbing after the first 200 metres with only  a few leveller patches to catch breath. If I was to retain my 12th place I had to stay within 13 minutes of the improving Sven. For the first 5k this was OK but I tired and he pulled away. It was a hard climb but at least  I reached the high point before the faster runners caught me and was greeted with a jaw dropping view of the whole Annapurna range and Dhaulagiri there in full view. 

We then had a great 5k downhill to the town which was visible from the pass. I really enjoyed this very runnable section until the sting in the tail of climbing up to the town. At this point Stefan caught me and I followed him into town fighting crowds of pilgrims coming in the opposite direction. It was a bit surreal but not as odd as our finishing point - the Bob Marley cafe and grill. 

It was great to finish and because of the staggered start finishers arrived in quick succession cheered on by other runners, tourists and even some bemused pilgrims. 

We celebrated with Gorkha beer and burgers before a 1 hour uncomfortable bus ride to the hotel in rainy  Jomsom. In the evening we had the awards dinner and buffet dhal bhat before dropping into a well deserved bed at the late night time of 10pm. After 14 days of early starts and exertion we looked forward to a bit of rest and recuperation in Pokhara.