It's time for the Doko Race

[Steve Tall]

Nepalis in Kathmandu train for the doko run, an endurance test for enlistment into the British army's Gurkha regiments. Photograph: Rex Features

"...It is recruitment season in the Himalayan foothills... more than 12,000 young hopefuls who applied this year for 176 posts in the British army."

"...To be considered Gurkha material candidates have to pass a series of demanding physical and mental tests. These include the infamous doko race, in which potential recruits have to complete an uphill run of more than three miles carrying 35kg (77lb) of sand in a basket strapped to their backs..."

Text and photo from:
Gurkhas: the beginning of the end? Gurkha redundancies and falling recruitment numbers threaten Nepalese warrior tribes' 200-year tradition
by Syed Zain al-Mahmood, 10 Nov 2011
The Guardian, UK
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/10/gurkhas-mod-cuts-end-role

 

[Gorog]

Wow, and I thought my back was hurting after just a tiny bit of leaf raking for my mother! That is intense sounding, to say the least, I bet their backs will be screaming in pain at the end. Thanks for sharing Steve.
David

 

[bric]

If I had to take 80 pounds of sand for an uphill run up the river it's be hard to imagine a more beautiful place to do it. I've seen US forces training running up Pike's Peak in gear which didn't afford quite as nice a view.