At 17,598 feet above sea level, where footings fight for grip and every breath is a struggle, Nausheen Banu Chand from Coimbatore laced up her running shoes for the world’s highest marathon. Against all the adversities that assailed her body, a resilient mind guided Nausheen to conquer the Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon, not once but twice, being the only woman from Tamil Nadu to claim this rare achievement.
The Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon is recognised as one of the world’s toughest races, and for good reason. The 42.195 km trail plunges from Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters down to Namche Bazar at 3,440 meters through brutal Himalayan terrain. Nausheen, an Ultra-Distance athlete from Kinathukadavu, conquered this unforgiving course with determination, completing it in approximately 10 hours and 45 minutes, a timeframe that somehow makes the incomprehensible distance feel both real and extraordinary.
Nausheen believes that placing faith in God at the heart of one’s actions, especially when confronting mental challenges, builds strength. This spiritual foundation aligns with her motto, ‘sports for mind,’ which drives not only her endurance but her purpose in sport.
“My journey into high-altitude marathoning, a sport mastered by very few, began after graduation alongside my professional career,” says Nausheen. Brought up in Oman, she returned to India for her graduation in Aeronautical Engineering, and eventually her focus shifted to the sport.
“My reason for running is simple: by being a person of performance, persistence, and patience, one can build togetherness, toughness, and tidiness among human beings, making this world a better place for the upcoming generation,” she feels.
Her philosophy stems from a societal commitment that sprouted from watching her brother battle with mental health challenges. The hardship took a toll on her family, and Nausheen was determined to understand his condition better. She pursued a Psychology degree and became more resilient in challenging the power of the mind over the body through sport.
Ultra-distance sporting and trail running represent niche sports, not only in India but worldwide. Any endurance sport extending beyond the 42.195 km marathon distance, whether foot races, skating, or cycling, is known as ultra-distance sporting, while trail running demands navigation over rugged natural terrains like mountains and forests. Both sports are a testament to endurance and mental toughness in the face of obstacles.
Nausheen with her family
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Nausheen’s journey to Everest began with notable achievements in 2023. In November that year, she earned two Noble World Records for her feats in Ladakh, completing a high-altitude marathon at 18,300 feet and roller skating at 12,500 feet. This earned her the distinction as the first Indian woman to complete a duo-sport feat combining running and skating in the Trans-Himalayas, a recognition that stands as one of her contribution to Indian sports.
Building on these records, on May 29, 2024, Nausheen successfully conquered the Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon, covering the full 42.195 km distance in 10 hours, 34 minutes, and 24 seconds, becoming the first woman from Tamil Nadu to achieve this milestone. Exactly one year later, on May 29, 2025, she completed the gruelling course for the second time in 10 hours, 44 minutes, and 35 seconds, establishing her status as the only woman from Tamil Nadu to conquer this race twice.
The marathon route traverses unforgiving terrain with extreme weather conditions of -15°C to -10°C at 17,600 ft. altitude. At such heights, where oxygen levels drop to nearly half of sea level, every step becomes a battle against physical limitations.
Her path to these achievements required significant personal sacrifice. Nausheen mortgaged jewellery, sold assets, and saved every rupee to fund her expeditions. Throughout this challenging journey, her dreams fluttered through the backing of her family, whose support proved crucial to her success.
Her first Everest Marathon received additional support from the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu and her alma mater, Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College. For her 2025 expedition, Pricol, where Nausheen works as the lead in athletics and sports initiatives, provided financial backing. Trilog, a mountaineering trainer from the Tamil Nadu Mountaineering Association, Chennai, spent a year equipping her with essential rappelling and jumaring techniques.
Nausheen aims to conquer a 70-km ultramarathon on Mount Everest by 2028, the next Summer Olympics year, continuing to push the boundaries of human endurance and mental strength. She concludes, “Belief might come with the first step, while the relief comes only when we reach the last step.”
Published – August 05, 2025 03:49 pm IST
