Bhutan or Druk Yul (the land of the Thunder Dragon) as it is known in Bhutanese, is mystical, enchanting and like nowhere you have ever been. This tiny Himalayan kingdom nestling between Tibet and India is a country of raw natural beauty and dramatic landscapes that range from sub-tropical plains …
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Bhutan or Druk Yul (the land of the Thunder Dragon) as it is known in Bhutanese, is mystical, enchanting and like nowhere you have ever been. This tiny Himalayan kingdom nestling between Tibet and India is a country of raw natural beauty and dramatic landscapes that range from sub-tropical plains to steep mountains and valleys.
Regularly voted one of the world’s top travel destinations, Bhutan still remains accessible only to the privileged few. The Thunder Dragon Marathon is your chance to see the country at ground level, to immerse yourself in its unique culture and enjoy an unforgettable running and travel experience.
The Thunder Dragon Marathon highlights all of the aspects of Bhutan that make it so special. Running through the beautiful Paro Valley the route takes in fantastic scenery and passes many iconic landmark like the Tiger’s Nest, Monastery, Paro Dzong and many religious Chorten. A true mountain and cultural experience.
The Thunder Dragon Marathon is run mostly on trails and mountain paths with some road sections. The route has a number of climbs but with an altitude variation that stays between 2,200m and 2,530m, there are no tremendously difficult sections although it remains a suitable challenge.
The Thunder Dragon Marathon is a fully hosted tour. The Thunder Dragon Marathon was previously known as the Himalayan Kingdom Mountain Marathon.
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Go. Just go!
This race is a must-do if you've an interest in running in Bhutan. It's not only the race that is spectacular, but also the country. You cannot do this race … MORE
This race is a must-do if you’ve an interest in running in Bhutan. It’s not only the race that is spectacular, but also the country. You cannot do this race without doing a tour. It’s a package deal. And while I initially didn’t look forward to being in a tour group, my group was only four, and all of them were globetrotting runners, and it was a great 4-day tour. The one thing I’d suggest is that you speak up early if there are too many outings planned. We probably visited every temple in the city, and hardly got any time for just walking through the streets. The time we did get for the markets was only because we finally told the tour guide that we were tired, and that we wanted a bit of time to shop. They happily obliged, but it seems they felt the need to fill up all empty minutes with something tour related. And on the day before the race it was 95 degrees outside and we were tired. But the outings were spectacular, and a trip to the Tiger’s Nest is one of the highlights of my life, actually. Hard hike, but worth it.
The course was pretty. The marathon course is prettier than the HM course, but both are nice. There was plenty of support, plenty of volunteers, and it was just an unforgettable experience.
If you are thinking of doing this race, a few things to consider. First, it is at a higher elevation than most runners are probably used to running. Second, this is a hot time of year. For comparison, my average HM time for most similar races in the US is probably around the 2-hour mark. This race took me over 3 hours. The heat and elevation were just really hard.
Also, the race volunteers were great, and there were so many, but I don’t think they spoke English. My plan had been (per permission from the RD, for all runners) to do the full marathon. The HM and full M course run together until about mile 5, and then they split. Bibs are color-coded so that volunteers know which way to send you. Orange to the left, blue to the right. I had registered for the HM and wanted to do the full. The RD said the markings were clear and that I could ask a volunteer. I looked for markings and asked all volunteers at all splits, but all of them just pointed me in the direction that my bib color told them I should go. No complaints about that, really, except that I was speaking to them, asking them a question, and they clearly just didn’t understand what I was asking. This isn’t so much a complaint as much as it is a caveat to anyone who runs this race, that if you want to change courses and go left, not right, be sure to have memorized the course map before you start running. Changing courses may seem like not a big deal, but on this race, a LOT of people that I spoke to were not going to make the decision on which course to actually run until they got to mile 5. The elevation and the heat really made people question their ability to finish. In the end, I’m glad I didn’t do the full. I’m not sure I would have finished. The HM was hard enough in the heat and elevation. But it sure was a beautiful run!
There is a post-race meal, but there is basically nothing for vegetarians. I am veg, and I had only a boiled egg and an apple. There was plenty of good food for everyone else, though.
One tough marathon
Did the full marathon at a power walk due to knee issues. It was a good course to power walk because thru most of the course running for the average … MORE
Did the full marathon at a power walk due to knee issues. It was a good course to power walk because thru most of the course running for the average marathoner was next to impossible. But to the beginning.
Race is sponsored by 209 out of Britain. They also offer pre race trekking packages prior to the race. There are different length packages available. We chose the longest – 5 days trekking in the Himalayas. For an older runner the trekking was both exciting and exhausting. Spend the first 3 days trekking 5 to 12 miles a day climbing to 14,200 feet and camping in pup tents in sometime freezing temps. Next day and a half are spent coming down the mountains thru large rocky and gravelly trails. Then we had a whole day off to prepare for the marathon.
The race….
Stayed in a hotel right near the start. Race day weather was nice. Little warm but not killer. Walked right down to the start line.
Race started on time. 8 hour somewhat enforced time limit. More on that later…
Miles 1 thru 8. Mostly downhill thru town. About mile 4 over a suspension bridge. Bouncy and fun. So far so good.
Miles 9 thru 13
About mile 9 we branch off from the half marathoners. Start a gradual climb thru the Bhutan countryside passing scattered homes and really nice scenery.
Miles 13 thru 15
Mostly downhill along a river front. Sun was now fully up and temps were becoming pretty intense. Trying to figure out how to veer off and take a dip in the river but decide not to.
Miles 15 thru 19
Welcome to Bhutan’s version of marathon hell. Back to the 8 hour time limit note. A day before the marathon we drove this part of the course in a bus. It contained 5 or 6 switchbacks that were so steep that the bus could barely make it up them. When they told us we had to run them I thought they were kidding. I revised my finish time from 5 to 6 hours to 6 to 7 hours.
So started the switchbacks with 2 much younger runners. Made very very slow progress but finally made it to the top of the switchbacks and headed into the woods for more steep steep single trail rocky climb. Finally made it to the top of the mountain and then started down. Was thinking the mile and half downhill would be easy. No such luck. Was so steep and rocky about every half mile they had young girls there to assist you over the rocks and to be sure you don’t fall over the side. But finally made it down. The two young guys I were with had disappeared. Last I saw them they had quit and were being shuttled back to the start line on the bus.
Miles 19 thru 21
On the road in the heat with traffic. Ugh
Miles 21 to finish.
Gradual climb back up mimicking the first 5 mile downhill start. Finally hit mile 26. Last .2 miles downhill.
Just as an FYI on the difference between the first and second half. My times – first half -2:58. Second half – 4:23.
So for a good workout / run do the half. For a exhausting self satisfying trek do the full.
As for the volunteers / race production / staff – everything and everybody were great. The 209 staff ran a great race as far as I know that was glitch free.
Our guides and fellow runners thru Marathon Tours handled all issues. We had no complaints what so ever.
Host hotel was extra supportive.
But best of all was spending 6 days in Bhutan and with the Bhutanese people. If there are any nicer people don’t know who they are. The country and people were the highlight of the trip. Finishing the marathon was just icing on the cake
Running in the Himalayas
I don’t have all the stats exactly but I will do my best to recount my race experience. Race morning started with breakfast at our nearby hotel. There are several … MORE
I don’t have all the stats exactly but I will do my best to recount my race experience.
Race morning started with breakfast at our nearby hotel.
There are several hotels near the start and finish area.
Ours was the Ravens nest just a 6 minute walk to the start.
Walking back up the hill takes a bit longer.
The original race time was scheduled for 9:00 am which got charged the night before to 8:30 am due to a possible weather concern.
The race start was warm and sunny.not sure what the temperature was maybe 60 F.
Around 75 International runners joined I believe around 120 local Bhutanese runners for both distances the half and full.
Bhutanese women were only allowed to run the half and the men were only allowed to run the full.
I would like to see that changed and let each sex decide what’s right for them.
Before the race 4 Buddhist Monks say a prayer which was very cool.
The race starts and we run on the road a slight downhill but I couldn’t tell that much. The roads are not closed for the race so traffic runs along side you.
The elevation chart wasn’t given to us but I think the start of the race is above 7,500 ft possibly closer to 8,000ft.
It was definitely hard to breathe the first hour or so. This wasn’t going to be a fast course.
The best you can do is go out slower and check your heart rate doesn’t get too high too quickly.
Within a mile or so we turn left and cross a suspension bridge.
It sways a little and felt a little unstable.
As a woman passed me I over balanced and put my hand out onto the rail. Unfortunately it was thick barbed wire and I punctured my hand. My hand was covered in blood but a volunteer gave me a tissue at the end of a bridge.
I think the organizers should warn the runners it’s not a rail you can actually hold on to.
Ok across the bridge and all the blood cleaned up. Down along the river for about 4.5 miles. Around that time we turn again following the yellow ribbons.
As an avid trail runner , I’m used to ribbons on the right means turn right . Ribbons on the left means turn left . Nope not in this race , ribbons are random and it was confusing which way we were heading. I know of at least one person who took an hour detour.
For most of the race I could follow someone up ahead but there were times I was on my own and it was confusing where to go.
There are lots of high school kids helping but you might have to ask which way as opposed to them pointing the way.
Water, bananas and some juice is offered quite often.
There are hills and more than I expected. Those I found hard to run up I simply couldn’t breath.
By midway we had a few sprinkles of rain and the clouds cooled us off .
Altitude is enough of a challenge but adding heat , well that’s a bit much.
By the way I was signed up for the full initially but we had been on a 5 day hike all week up in the mountains which trashed my shoes.
I wore a pair of shoes that I brought just to walk around after the race . They were Nike Air, very light but not good for trail running.
However my choice was a pair of Tevas or a pair of shoes I hadn’t ran in before.
They held up ok but the trail part, a few miles at least was challenging.
So the hills are midway to the end.
The last Km or half mile is downhill.
There are cows on the course , traffic and 2 bridges.
You cross the river twice and it’s a quiet run. No spectators just random people going about their business.
I thought all things considered I did OK but I did have some exercise endured asthma for the rest of the day.
I haven’t had that for almost 20 years.
There is a warm welcome when you finish with a large tent to sit in out of the sun.
The medals came out late for the faster runners. Not sure why that happened. For the midway runners , they all got their medals at the finish line.
Water and juice is given at the finish line. Lunch is offered in the hotel.
I would have like iced water or coke at the finish. Every drink was warm after sitting in the sun all morning.
Overall I enjoyed the race. The local runners whom I ran with , were very friendly and chatted with me.
If you are thinking to run the full, this is a challenging course. Train well.
Awards are given to the top Male / Female and only the top finisher age 50-59 , 60-69, 70-79.
There was a tech shirt and a white cotton shirt given to each runner , which I declined. I kept the tech shirt and the scarf.
This race is organized by a company in Great Britain and there is a charitable cause you can become involved in.
I did enjoy this race but definitely enjoyed the hike , overall trip a lot more.
Challenging and Beautiful Run
I first traveled to Bhutan to run the Thunder Dragon Marathon last year. I enjoyed the race and unique Himalayan Kingdom travel experience so much that I brought clients with … MORE
I first traveled to Bhutan to run the Thunder Dragon Marathon last year. I enjoyed the race and unique Himalayan Kingdom travel experience so much that I brought clients with me this year. I was happy to see the following client comments echoed my first impressions from a year ago.
– Loved the course….it was difficult but so so so enjoyable….the scenery was spectacular… the single track was FUN! Course markings were excellent, rest stops plentiful
– Well supported ESPECIALLY for such a small run, and great hat and shirts.
– Many volunteers along the course and aid stations at the right locations.
– The pre-race Buddhist blessing, the local runner’s enthusiasm and the scenery all combined to create a very spiritual experience.
– Terrific job sharing photos