In a spectacular convergence of athleticism, cultural pride, and environmental consciousness, The North Face Mountain Quest at International Everest Day successfully concluded this evening at the pristine Gokarna Forest Resort. The milestone event brought together more than 1,000 total participants, athletes, and spectators to honour the legendary spirit of mountain exploration and foster community unity.
The core athletic attraction, the 7.5k Night Trail Run, saw an impressive field of 400 runners take to the darkened, challenging forest tracks, comprising 317 male and 83 female participants. Every competitor who crossed the finish line was rewarded for their grit with an exclusive package including an official Finisher Medal, a custom The North Face T-shirt, and a Mountain Man Energy Bar to aid their recovery.
Designed as an evening celebrating adventure, endurance, and exploration, the event was completely free to enter, a strategic decision that successfully attracted a massive and diverse audience. Central to the evening’s purpose was the Everest Clean-up Donation Initiative, underscoring a deep community commitment to preserving the fragile ecology of the world’s highest peaks, paired seamlessly with a high-energy 7.5k Night Trail Run.
Elite and Regular Category Highlights
The trail run featured intense competition across both Elite and Regular categories. In the highly anticipated Elite Category, top podium finishers were rewarded with cash prizes of USD 200 for 1st place, USD 150 for 2nd place, and USD 100 for 3rd place to honor their outstanding performance.
Elite Category Winners:
- Male Division: 1. Sanjay Tamang (Winner — USD 200) 2. Diwakar Budha Magar (1st Runner-Up — USD 150) 3. Riturag Rokaya (2nd Runner-Up — USD 100)
- Female Division: 1. Manju Sunuwar (Winner — USD 200) 2. Marie Eggen Norloff (1st Runner-Up — USD 150) 3. Chhiring Ongmu Sherpa (2nd Runner-Up — USD 100)
Regular Category Winners:
- Male Division:
Fura Chheten Sherpa (Winner)
Anurag Rokaya (1st Runner-Up)
Nabin Khadka (2nd Runner-Up) - Female Division:
Gita Maharjan (Winner / 1st Place)
Klara Berggren (1st Runner-Up / 2nd Place)
Alexandra Wrigley (2nd Runner-Up / 3rd Place)
A Vibrant Celebration of Outdoor Culture
Beyond the racecourse, the event grounds transformed into a lively festival celebrating outdoor community culture. Over 600 guests and attendees engaged in thought-provoking Panel Talk Sessions addressing mountain exploration and environmental initiatives. The atmosphere was further elevated by captivating Cultural Dance Performances and an energetic Live Music Band Performance, making the evening an unforgettable celebration of endurance and mountain heritage.
About The North Face Mountain Quest
The North Face Mountain Quest is a premier event series dedicated to fostering, challenging, and celebrating the global outdoor community. In partnership with historic milestones like International Everest Day, the initiative aims to combine athletic excellence with cultural heritage and ecological conservation.
