Everesting

Mercedes Nieto is a trailblazer in Peruvian running

What does Everesting mean to me?
That nothing is impossible. Everesting gave me more confidence to run my first 100 miles. I’ve always had this phrase in my mind: If I was able to do an Everesting, I can do anything.
Why did I get involved with Everesting?
During the pandemic, several friends were using Zwift. There was a Peruvian who did an Everesting on Zwift, and then my friend JJ completed a half Everesting on Zwift. When he told us what it was about, I thought, well… maybe. Later, JJ told me that there was also a half Everesting and that it could also be done in RUN mode.
At that time, there was a challenge in Peru to accumulate the most elevation gain. I told my coach, Andrés Olivera, that I wanted to do a half Everesting. He gave me the green light and we started training. A month later, I completed my first Half Everesting. Then I told him I wanted to go for the full Everesting. We focused, and after two more half Everestings, we were ready for the challenge.
In December 2020, I attempted my first Everesting. Unfortunately, due to a curfew, I couldn’t finish it and had to stop at 7,300+ meters of elevation gain.
In 2021, I suffered a multiple ankle fracture while on a trail in Cusco, so that year Everesting was not an option.
In 2022, after completing my first ultra at TRANSGRANCANARIA, I attempted it again in May—and this time, after 24 hours, I reached my EVERESTING. On both occasions, I had the support of my team and much of the Peruvian trail running community. Most of all, from my best friend Jozium, who stayed with me until the curfew hit (2020) and until I finished (2022).
After that achievement—which marked a milestone in Peruvian trail running as I was the first to complete such a challenge, and even more so as a woman—many people attempted the challenge themselves. Several completed a Half Everesting, and two friends (including JOZIUM) achieved an Everesting 10k, and another did a Double Everesting.
Now I’m focused on the TOR DES GEANTS experience, and a few Half Everestings will be great training for that goal. This year, I’ll be running the TOR 130KM with 12,000+ meters of elevation, and my goal is to earn a direct entry to the TOR 330K.
EVERESTING has given me a lot of confidence and certainty that whatever the challenge may be—I can take it on.it to finish strong!