The Slovenian extreme runner has managed to cross the 160-kilometre-long track around Mt. Everest in 30 hours and 53 minutes, leaving the 2nd and 3rd best female competitors – both from the UK – behind by three / nine hours, and taking 10th place overall – the absolute winner became Nepalese Pasang Lama (22:04:20).

The race is an extraordinary feat not only since it takes place at a high altitude but as the runners have to overcome a 5,000-metre distance in altitude daily and approx. 29,000 in total in extreme conditions: cold, wind and air with little oxygen.

Andreja Sterle Podobnik, a mother of two, has won the race just a few days before her 40th birthday. After returning home, this is how she described her impressions: "I'm tired, but exhilaration helps you forget about fatigue. An interesting, challenging experience." For Sterle Podobnik, the hardest part of the race was the second stage, during which she suffered from bouts of nausea as well as a headache. The stage included 16 kilometres of ascents, finishing at 4,200 metres above the sea level.

A crowd of Loka valley inhabitants took part in a reception organised for their new running champion, including Darinka, who explained: "Andreja is our heroine. Her achievement is incredible."

Janez Komidar, the mayor of Loka valley, said with pride in his voice: "The wealth of a municipality is not measured in terms of money. It's in its people."

The president of Slovenia Borut Pahor also sent a card with his congratulations, pointing out he was thrilled to learn about the win and wishing Sterle Podobnik to remain an inspiration to others. The best kind of praise, however, came from her proud daughter Tia: "I thought about her all the time and kept sending her thoughts of encouragement."

T. O., Marko Škrlj, Radio Slovenija; translated by K. Z.