Hi all

yes it IS true Phil has come joint 1st on day one - you could say I'm slightly biased but he's amazing! Beating bikers and all he ran his 20 km, 1050m ascent and stormed over the day one finish line in 1 hour 38 mins along with fellow runner Phudorjee Sherpa. Below is the race report from the Yak Attack website. I haven't spoken to him yet so I don't know how Ed got on today but I'm sure he's done alright. Will update when I have more news.

I've naturally also included a picture of Evie: our friend Sukmaya carrying Evie round the garden in the basket we use to keep the baby chickens under!

The picture below of the start of the race is from the yak attack website and is a bit hard to make out - I can't tell which ones are Phil or Ed - answers on a postcard ...

Day 1 Besi Sahar to Bahundanda / 20km / 798m to 1295m / Total Ascent 1050m

After a prolonged opening ceremony, conducted by Lamjung District Office and accompanied by a local band, the Berghaus Yak Attack 2008 got under way.

True to his word, Matt Hart, riding for Torq Fitness, went off hard from the start. By the halfway stage he had built up a formidable lead over the next athlete, but unfortunately he missed a turn onto a suspension bridge and went 2km off course. By the time he had retraced the trail he had lost his lead but still came in a very respectable 12th in just over 2 hours.

Philip Morris, celebrating his 34th birthday, kept the British flag flying by finishing in joint first place with Phudorjee Lama Sherpa (Peregrine and First Ascent), in 1 hour and 38 mins which, in the hot conditions encountered today, was extremely impressive. Phil, a regular London marathoner, recently came 10th in the Pokhara marathon and seems to be on top form.

The first mtb'er over the line was Biprendra Bajracharya in 1 hour 41 minutes, followed very closely by Kaji Sherpa. The only female rider Nirjala Tamrakar (Fluidforce) unfotunately had a collision with a pedestrian on the way out of Besi Sahar which scuppered her chances of a top placing. Luckily she avoided any major injuries and will be able to continue tomorrow.

Its also looking like being a runners day tomorrow as, although the trail starts with a 500m descent, it's then a gruelling 6km 1000m climb.

Results for day 1

1st Philip Morris (runner) 1:38:40

1st Phudorjee Lama Sherpa (runner)1:38:40

3rd Biprendra Bajracharya (biker) 1:41:54