The race is going to have three distances 100 km, 70 km and 50 km and you can change your mind about your distance on the run depending on how you are feeling.
NB: the 100 km course will be different in 2012. This page will be updated mid-2011.
5th Annapurna 100 course map
View large version with detailed description.
Route description
The course heads out of Pokhara (820 m) and soon any trace of the urban world is left behind. While slowly climbing on wide trails the views from the Dhampus ridge are spectacular.
On popular trekking trails we continue to Pitam Deurali (2100 m), through Landruk (1565 m) and the Modi river (1350), then up the long steep climb to Ghandruk (1940 m). The 50 km turns South here for the descent to its finish at Birethanti (1025 m).
See 50 km course GPS data here.
The 70 and 100 km continue from Ghandruk up to Tadapani (2630 m) on a beautiful forest trail. Then comes a welcome descent to the Bhurungdi khola (2400 m) before heading steeply up to Deurali (3210 m).This ridge leading to Ghorepani is delicious running with absolutely fabulous views of Annapurnas and the Manaslu range to the east and the Dhaulagiri range to the West.
See the 70 km course GPS data here.
See a GHT map
From Ghorepani (2860 m) you head for home along a section of the Great Himalaya Trail lower route. For the 70 km, home is Birethanti, joining the 50 km finishers, after another 1835 m of descent.
The 100 km runners continue to complete the circuit to Pokhara via Kavre which is reached after a last 700 m climb, the long Naudanda ridge from where most will see the night lights of Pokhara, and a final stretch along the town’s beautiful lake.
Feeding stations are frequent and run by local villages and many will be out to watch and cheer you. Children might tell you you’re last or going slow – but they’re just joking. Watch out for buffaloes and goats on the trail or people carrying huge bundles of firewood or fodder. Go around prayer flag poles to the left and keep a small handkerchief with you to dry your sweat in case someone gives you a red tikka mark on your forehead.
Course Altitude
Pokhara lies at 827 m altitude. The highest point in the race is 3210 m which for many visitors is noticeable but completely manageable.
Photographs
These pictures were taken on a recce of the course in October 2010. There is also a description to go with that here:
http://moireosullivan.wordpress.com/2010/11/15/recce-of-annapurna-100k-race-route/
