Ultramarathoner James Tellias has become one of the Hall of Famers in the world who conquered the “Everesting Challenge” after running 111 kilometers in the virtual event held in Tuba, Benguet recently.
Tellias negotiated the backyard trail of the old Macawiwili Gold mining site with a total elevation of 11,488 meters in 29 hours and 11 minutes.
He is the first Filipino runner to be added in the Eve-resting Challenge for running with other international elite athletes.
The objective of the challenge is for runners and cyclists to go through trail routes with an elevation gain of Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters or higher.
“This is my first record on Everesting and the first Philippine record on foot. The reward is putting the Philippine record on the Everesting Challenge through trail running,” said Tellias, an alumnus of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB).
Telias recorded his feat using the sports application Strava and submitted his time to the Everesting Challenge staff for verification.
This will be the third virtual run Tellias joined since the pandemic put on hold trail running events worldwide.
Last year, he and his group “Team Hellevation” composed of Sandi Abahan, Robert Watson, and Sunshine Brioned topped the Asia Trail Girls Vertical Virtual race run, edging 143 other groups all over the world.
He also participated in a virtual run in Baguio City last year where he placed fourth.
Virtual races have become the alternative event for short and long-distance run competitions all over the world due to the Covid-19 pandemic. – Ofelia C. Empian
