The Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon is recognised as one of many world’s hardest races, and for good motive. The 42.195 km path plunges from Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters right down to Namche Bazar at 3,440 meters by way of brutal Himalayan terrain. Nausheen, an Ultra-Distance athlete from Kinathukadavu, conquered this unforgiving course with willpower, finishing it in roughly 10 hours and 45 minutes, a timeframe that someway makes the incomprehensible distance really feel each actual and extraordinary.
Nausheen believes that inserting religion in God on the coronary heart of 1’s actions, particularly when confronting psychological challenges, builds energy. This non secular basis aligns along with her motto, ‘sports activities for thoughts,’ which drives not solely her endurance however her goal in sport.
“My journey into high-altitude marathoning, a sport mastered by only a few, started after commencement alongside my skilled profession,” says Nausheen. Brought up in Oman, she returned to India for her commencement in Aeronautical Engineering, and finally her focus shifted to the game.
“My motive for operating is easy: by being an individual of efficiency, persistence, and persistence, one can construct togetherness, toughness, and tidiness amongst human beings, making this world a greater place for the upcoming technology,” she feels.
Her philosophy stems from a societal dedication that sprouted from watching her brother battle with psychological well being challenges. The hardship took a toll on her household, and Nausheen was decided to know his situation higher. She pursued a Psychology diploma and have become extra resilient in difficult the facility of the thoughts over the physique by way of sport.
Ultra-distance sporting and path operating signify area of interest sports activities, not solely in India however worldwide. Any endurance sport extending past the 42.195 km marathon distance, whether or not foot races, skating, or biking, is named ultra-distance sporting, whereas path operating calls for navigation over rugged pure terrains like mountains and forests. Both sports activities are a testomony to endurance and psychological toughness within the face of obstacles.
Nausheen along with her household | Photo Credit: Special association
Nausheen’s journey to Everest started with notable achievements in 2023. In November that yr, she earned two Noble World Records for her feats in Ladakh, finishing a high-altitude marathon at 18,300 toes and curler skating at 12,500 toes. This earned her the excellence as the primary Indian lady to finish a duo-sport feat combining operating and skating within the Trans-Himalayas, a recognition that stands as one in all her contribution to Indian sports activities.
Building on these data, on May 29, 2024, Nausheen efficiently conquered the Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon, protecting the complete 42.195 km distance in 10 hours, 34 minutes, and 24 seconds, turning into the primary lady from Tamil Nadu to attain this milestone. Exactly one yr later, on May 29, 2025, she accomplished the gruelling course for the second time in 10 hours, 44 minutes, and 35 seconds, establishing her standing as the one lady from Tamil Nadu to overcome this race twice.
The marathon route traverses unforgiving terrain with excessive climate circumstances of -15°C to -10°C at 17,600 ft. altitude. At such heights, the place oxygen ranges drop to almost half of sea stage, each step turns into a battle towards bodily limitations.
Her path to those achievements required vital private sacrifice. Nausheen mortgaged jewelry, offered property, and saved each rupee to fund her expeditions. Throughout this difficult journey, her desires fluttered by way of the backing of her household, whose assist proved essential to her success.
Her first Everest Marathon obtained extra assist from the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu and her alma mater, Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College. For her 2025 expedition, Pricol, the place Nausheen works because the lead in athletics and sports activities initiatives, supplied monetary backing. Trilog, a mountaineering coach from the Tamil Nadu Mountaineering Association, Chennai, spent a yr equipping her with important rappelling and jumaring methods.
Nausheen goals to overcome a 70-km ultramarathon on Mount Everest by 2028, the subsequent Summer Olympics yr, persevering with to push the boundaries of human endurance and psychological energy. She concludes, “Belief may include step one, whereas the aid comes solely after we attain the final step.”
