Reviewed by Thomas Watson, RRCA-certified running coach
Key Takeaways
Everesting means ascending the full 8,848 m / 29,029 ft of Mount Everest in a single continuous effort by repeating any local hill or climb. The challenge originated in cycling but is now a popular running and mountaineering test. There is no time cap, no rest limit other than ‘don’t sleep,’ and no shortcuts — you must register your route, GPS-track it, and submit to the official Everesting Hall of Fame to be recognized.
The thought of summiting Mount Everest is a dream for many, and something even fewer have accomplished.
There are quite a few things that need to go to perfect plan in order to be successful in making it to the highest point in the world. Furthermore, it is quite a dangerous feat involving many risks, such as altitude sickness or even death.
In addition to the risks, the logistical challenges of climbing Mount Everest cannot be overlooked. The financial burden of travel, equipment, and insurance, alongside taking time off of work to complete the task itself, make the feat all the more difficult even before getting to the mountain.
If you’ve always wondered if you’d be able to get to the top of Mount Everest but couldn’t possibly make it happen, we’re here to tell you about the next closest thing.
What is Everesting?
‘Everesting’ is a challenge that is fiendishly simple and doesn’t require you to fly all the way to Nepal.
You select any one hill, anywhere in the world, and run repeats of it in a single activity until you reach 8,848m of elevation, which is the equivalent height of Mount Everest.
Everesting began as a cycling challenge, but running the challenge grew in popularity and is split into two categories: shuttled and non-shuttled.
Shuttled involves the runner running up the selected hill, but descending by other means, whereas non-shuttled means they run up and down the selected hill.
There are a few other rules involved in completing the challenge.
Firstly, the running activity must be logged on Strava.
During the activity, you are allowed to stop; however, this time is included in your overall time for the challenge.
The final rule is that you are not allowed to sleep. The activity must be completed in a single activity while remaining awake. Time taken to stop cannot be used for short naps but rather for refueling.
Fastest Everesters
The fastest runner to complete non-shuttled Everesting, meaning they ascended and descended entirely on foot, was Simon Grimstrup, who completed the challenge in 10 hours, 45 minutes, and 14 seconds.
The fastest runner to complete the shuttled Everesting, meaning they ascended on foot and descended by other means, was Benoît Gandolfi, who completed the challenge in 8 hours, 52 minutes, and 13 seconds.
Not only are there records for the fastest Everesters, but also for those that pioneer the Everesting challenge in their country. If you are the first one to complete the Everesting challenge in your country, your name is put into the history books of pioneer Everesters.
So You Want To Try Everesting?
If you want to try Everesting, there are a few things to consider.
Of course, make sure you’re familiar with all the rules and that you have a working GPS watch that can upload to Strava.
It’s also make sure that you have trained properly for the challenge. At the start, you may not feel like the challenge will be so hard, but as the hours pass without sleep and in a single isolated spot, safety considerations must be accompanied.
Following the precautions and safety advice found on the Eversting website is a good place to start to ensure a successful Everesting.
So let us know, have you ever Everested, or would you ever want to try out this challenge?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Everesting?
Everesting is the challenge of ascending the height of Mount Everest (8,848 m / 29,029 ft) by repeating any one hill or climb in a single, continuous effort. You can run, hike, walk, or cycle — but no sleep is allowed.
How long does Everesting take?
Most runners take 12–24 hours to complete a running Everesting, depending on the gradient of the hill and how rested they are. Cyclists are typically faster (8–14 hours) because they descend more efficiently.
What hill should I choose?
Steeper hills mean fewer repeats but more strain on legs. Most runners pick a hill with a 8–12% gradient and 100–300 m of elevation gain. Steep enough to accumulate vertical fast, shallow enough that you do not blow your quads.
Do I need to register my Everesting?
To be officially recognized in the Hall of Fame, yes. Pre-register on everesting.cc, GPS-track the effort, and submit your file afterward. Failing to register does not invalidate the effort, just the recognition.
What gear do I need?
A reliable GPS watch with long battery life (charge-while-running is ideal), trail shoes if your hill is unpaved, layered clothing for temperature changes, and lots of food and water — most Everestings cover 50–80 km of running.
