MILL VALLEY, CALIF (September 22, 2011)—Pacific Union International (PUI) real estate professional Brent Thomson is set to compete in the world’s highest, most grueling marathons—the Everest Marathon—December 2, 2011. In addition to the 26.2 race, Thomson will participate with 74 others from around the world in a 26-day trek starting in Kathmandu, ascents of Gokyo Ri and Kala Pattar—and more.
“The race is a fundraiser for the Everest Marathon Fund which benefits multiple charities in Nepal,” said Thomson. “Donations for the fund are raised by the individual runners. The generosity of people reflects not only their admiration for those who take part in one of the toughest races in the world, but also their concern for people in one of the world’s poorest countries.”
The marathon is run at altitudes ranging from 17,000 feet to 11,300 feet. In order to acclimate naturally to the high altitude, Thomson and other racers will be closely supervised by race medical staff. The race starts at Gorak Shep (5184m), just below Everest base camp and finishes in the Sherpa ‘capital’ of Namche Bazaar (3446m). The race begins at 6:30 am and includes three different cut-off points at Tengboche monastery (14 miles) and Chorkhung (20 miles – 2.15 pm), just above Namche Bazaar. The final six miles of the race, out to Thamo and back, include an exhausting, undulating trail. Runners are expected to cross the finish line just before nightfall. Thomson is one of 27 other female racers.
In addition to the challenges posed by the extreme altitude, the course terrain is considered one of the most varied and challenging for a long distance run. Thomson and the other runners are likely to encounter snow and ice at the start of the course. Boulders, grass, sandy scree, stone staircases, trails through densely forested areas and exposed paths hugging the mountain contour are all part of the incredible trek. Other challenges on the unmarked trail include narrow suspension bridges and yak trains.
Thomson, an avid long distance trail runner, has been training for the Mount Everest marathon since April of this year, including plenty of long distance and steep incline training runs in the Marin Headlands and Glacier Park in Montana. She logged 50+ miles (80 km) per week with a 15 – 20 mile run every weekend this summer to prepare for both the distance and the altitude.
Not surprisingly, Thomson is a hard-charging business professional. She joined Pacific Union International, Inc. as Senior Vice President in December of 2009, responsible for the combined real estate offices in Marin County. In the field, she has demonstrated a genuine talent for motivating others to push to reach goals and achieve their personal best.
She has more than 30 years of experience in highly competitive industries, including serving as a Vice President of worldwide sales operation at both IBM Corporation and Lotus Development Corporation where she was responsible for multiple teams of sale professionals generating revenue of $700 million per year. Thomson was with Frank Howard Allen, where she managed the Tiburon/Belvedere office for five years before joining Pacific Union International.
For more information or to make a donation please visit: www.brentrunseverest.com
About Pacific Union International
Pacific Union International (PUI) is the San Francisco Bay Area’s premier international luxury real estate brand operating in six counties including Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco and Sonoma for 35 years. Locally owned, PUI leadership operates with an entrepreneurial mindset and unwavering commitment to invest in the right people, processes and tools to ensure deep, long-standing client and agent relationships. In 2009, its team of over 425+ real estate professionals achieved #1 ranking in average sales price and #1 ranking for professional productivity in all six counties. Through its exclusive relationship with Christie’s International Real Estate in the San Francisco Bay Area, Pacific Union delivers international reach in its property marketing programs and provides clients with access to international investors.