Looming above British Camp Pokhara, in the foothills of the Himalayas, lies the famous Doko Race route. In its current form, the race consists of 5.5 kilometres with almost 500 metres of elevation gain while carrying a 15kg doko. It is a corner stone of Gurkha selection and a key part of the Survival Nepali Culture and Language Course (SNLC), which is attended by Junior Officers in the Brigade of Gurkhas.
The race is not only a physical endeavour but a challenge in persistence and preparation. For the SNCLC students, learning to use the doko was a key part of our training. With just a month between being issued our doko and the event, learning how to adjust the basket to be secure and comfortable was key. It was everyone’s first time using a namlo and we were amazed how much easier it made moving up steep hills.
The route terrain is constantly changing, even while we trained some roads were dug up and others re-paved. The one constant on the route is the friendly people who live along it, always offering words of support.
On race day we began very early, reaching the start point at 0530hrs. We warmed up for 15 minutes after jogging to the start point, and then, just as it reached first light, we were off. Until the first marker-point, the route is a gradual incline but soon the steep climbs began. After the first checkpoint, seemingly endless stairs stretched up and soon after that we were onto ‘Temple Hill’. The views from the circular loop around Hari Har Gupha Temple span across Pokhara and are very beautiful but there was no time to look on this day. Once completed, the second half of the route proved as much a mental challenge as physical. Winding paths and long steady hills characterise this section. Finally, with 500 metres left to go, the path started going downhill. Everything in the tank was needed to make it across the finish line and finish this famous race.
The Doko Race proved as difficult as we knew it would be from its reputation. It is renowned across the British Army as a prestigious rite of passage for potential recruits. To experience the hard work and extreme mental and physical resilience needed to be successful in this race was an opportunity to understand the dedication of the potential recruits looking to join the Brigade.
This course’s Doko Race winner was Lieutenant Harry Tomsett from 23 Engineer Regiment who completed the route in 32 minutes and 56 seconds, the fastest so far in the history of the language course. Lieutenant Naomi Metcalfe from 36 Engineer Regiment also set the record as the fastest female runner so far with a time of 43 minutes and 37 seconds.
