BY ASBED POGARIAN
There is a reason the marathon is the last event held at the Olympics – that’s because it’s regarded as the pinnacle of all races. During those arduous 26.2 miles, the body is subjected to so much stress, that it takes a week or two for it to recover. For most people who take on this challenge, winning it is not the goal, but just finishing is.
The Janapar Trail that runs between Vardenis in Armenia to Hadrut in Artsakh is about 178 miles, the equivalent of 7 marathons. Imagine subjecting the body to a run of such magnitude, with minimal rest and sleep. You would think it’s impossible for any human to accomplish such a feat, right? The body is not designed for so severe a challenge. Well, you’re wrong, and Telma Ghazarian Altoon is living proof of that.
Telma is a 42-year old superwoman who has run ultramarathons all over the globe, ranging in distance from 30 miles to 180. She is a working mother of two and is the only Armenian involved in this daring sport. She has turned down numerous offers of sponsorship that would readily pay for her expenses only to have the freedom to display her Armenian heritage proudly during her races. The Armenian tricolor is visible on all her shirts and gear and it’s her custom to wrap herself in it at the end of each race.
This June, Telma will be running in her ancestral homeland for the very first time, a dream she has harbored for many years. She will begin in Vardenis near Lake Sevan and will run through the pristine backcountry of Artsakh all the way to Hadrut, with minimal rest and sleep (to see pictures of the trail, visit janapar.org). She will stop at towns and villages along the way to greet and talk to the locals. Despite those stops, she hopes to complete the run in just 3 days.
“I am running to fundraise for AHA-Armenia and contribute to the trail building projects they have undertaken,”
