Marathon Man Amar Subba plans to run from Gangtok-Gurudongmar in 24 hrs!

ANAND OBEROI
GANGTOK, 22 May: Sikkim’s very own ‘Super Marathon Man’, Amar Subba, is all set to break another incredible record by running nonstop from Gangtok to Gurudongmar Lake in 24 hrs. The spirit to take on this amazing feat of running from an altitude of 5,500 ft to 17,100 ft within a day will also make him the first person in the country to hold a national record for a ‘Nonstop High Altitude Marathon.’
The 42-year-old father of two boys already has his name recorded in the 2012 Limca Book of Records for successfully completing a Solo 440 km Marathon along the foothills of the Himalayas and areas such as Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Siliguri and Dooars in 7 days. He started this record breaking feat from his native village in Darap, West Sikkim, at 9:30 a.m. on 17 January 2011and jogged into Gangtok on 23 January. Even during the completion of this super human feat, he had reached an altitude of 12,890 ft while passing into Sandakphu from Chewabhanjyang in the Sikkim side of the border.
“I believe that bad things happen in life to teach us to look at good things in a whole new light,” Amar told NOW! while on his final high altitude practice run from Maneybhanjyang through Sandakphu, Phalut, Chewabhanjyang and then Uttarey which he started yesterday and will complete by tomorrow.  
And for those who are wondering what Amar Subba has been up to these past months, he has run the Amity Kolkata Marathon. Delhi Marathon, the Mumbai Marathon and also the Bangalore Ultra Marathon 2012, all completed with appreciative results before he began his ultra training on specialized high altitude training.
Amar Subba, a self employed professional, is a man possessed who is on a mission to do the most amazing runs across the most treacherous and hostile terrain which he calls his second home. Mountain runs came as an inspiration when he led trekking groups across the Singhalila Range, ‘The mountains that gleam with inviting splendor ask me to come back every morning when I open my windows”, is how the man puts it.
His love for the mountains, his determination, his unfaltering spirit and moreover the support from his family, friends and his well wishers from across the world have motivated him to do what would seem impossible for any sane person, but for Amar Subba this is just another record he wants to break before he starts on an even more daunting task.
Before the phone network went down, Amar was on his way from Maneybhanjyang to Sandakphu in today’s trial run which he started at around 11am, he informed that he will reach Sandakphu within 4 hrs, an incredible practice session since the man is only on a diet of low fat food like dry fruits, high protein and water.
“I have to run light which is why I cannot carry very heavy loads, but during my training sessions I am carrying extra weight because it will boost my run to Gurudongmar Lake. For me the lack of oxygen will prove to be a major factor but my training here is preparing me for that,” Amar mentions. He also says that extreme conditions in the mountains up north is also a factor he realizes since he has been there on some occasions for which he has intensified his training.
It may also be informed that Amar is being supported by a Core Committee with members from Darap, Yuksom and Gyalshing who are helping with organizing the run which is scheduled for 01 June next month. With only 9 days in his kitty before the big day, Amar says he feels fitter than ever before.
“I have never let my well wishers down and even if I am 42 years old, age is no barrier. I will do everyone proud and will engrave my name in the national record,” he assures.