Pune: 13-year-old climber finishes 'highest and toughest' Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon

Sai Kawde, a 13-year-old child climber from Pimpri Chinchwad studying in Bharti Vidyapeeth School, finished the Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon on May 29. Total 45 countries participated in the marathon among which Sai was the youngest participant.

The marathon is organised to celebrate the anniversary of the first ascent of Mount Everest by the late Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953.

Prior to this, Sai has been doing mountaineering adventures in the Himalayas since 2018.

On May 27, Kawade reached the Everest base camp at an elevation of 5,364 metres, and ascended the Kala Patthar, at an elevation of 5,644.5 metres, on May 28.

He has also climbed the highest peaks of Kilimanjaro in Africa, the highest peaks of Elbrus in Europe and Stoke Kangri, Friendship, Patalsu in the Indian Himalayas.

He has also been awarded the World Book of Records and many more for the same.

Sai got the inspiration to participate in this marathon from the Iron Man IPS Krishna Prakash, during his posting as the commissioner of Pimpri Chinchwad, where Sai used to practice with him.

This marathon, the 'highest and toughest' one, is organised every year to celebrate the anniversary of the first ascent of Mount Everest by the late Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953.