Father and son reach new heights

When Sergeant (Sgt) Quinn Musgrave’s father, retired Corporal (Crpl) Mike Musgrave suggested they team up and run one of the most brutal marathons on Earth, the Sgt wasn’t shocked by the proposal.

Despite the enormity of the challenge, the Musgrave family is no stranger to extreme sports. So, Sgt Musgrave, Chief Cook of His Majesty’s Canadian Submarine Corner Brook, agreed to join his father and take his first trek up the Everest.

His dad, however, had done this before.

The Crpl completed the Mount Everest Ultra Marathon with his wife, retired Captain Susan Musgrave to celebrate his 50th birthday in 2013. He felt it was only fitting to test himself again a decade later in honour of his 60th birthday.

Crpl Musgrave was a vehicle technician in the Canadian Armyand has completed runs in Africa, many races with the Canadian Military and also hiked and ran a marathon at the bottom of Mount Kilimanjaro in 2013.

“Extreme hiking has always been an interest within our family,” Sgt Musgrave said. “I thought trying the Everest Marathon would be super cool, but, at the same time, I knew how tough it would be.”

He credits his active upbringing and his 18 years as a member of Canadian Submarine Force (CANSUBFOR) for preparing him for the race.

“Having military experience in tough situations really helped me because you’re putting your focus on the mission. No matter what you’re put through,” he said.

The father/son duo previously ran multiple marathons together and are proud to add completing the world’s highest marathon to their list of achievements.

The pair began the acclimatization trek—to allow their bodies to adjust to the extreme elevation—on May 17 from Lukla, Nepal. They hiked for 12 days at an elevation of 2,860m to reach the base camp.

“You will get altitude sickness where the trees stop growing because there’s less oxygen for them to grow,” Sgt Musgrave said. “So, I learned to push myself through headaches while running and fighting to breathe.”

Tenzing Hilary Everest Marathon begins at a starting altitude of 5,356m at the Khumbu Icefall. The marathon route passes through spectacular landscapes, including the highest elevation in the world, through monasteries, monuments and suspension bridges. It also passes through a world-renowned heritage site: Tengboche Monastery.

Crpl Musgrave was most surprised by how the landscapes had changed in the decade since his last journey on Everest.

“I could not believe how far the Khumba Icefall receded in 10 years,” he said.

Of the 156 runners who came from across the world, Sgt Musgrave completed the marathon in 70th place with his father finishing closely behind at 81st place.

The pair agreed that one of the biggest highlights of the adventure was meeting the local people, experiencing their culture, hospitality and friendship, and enjoying the amazing scenery of Nepal.

“I’ve never met friendlier people than the Nepalese people,” the Crpl said.

During their time in Nepal they played soccer with the children in one of the villages and gifted them candies and a new soccer ball. Sgt Musgrave distributed CANSUBFOR stickers and ballcaps to the marathon guides. They also met two British-Nepalese Gurkhas (Nepalese soldiers) from Pokhara and Kathmandu on the way to the top, who were supporting the marathon. Sgt Musgrave traded patches with them, as well as tales of military life in Nepal and Canada.

The experience was so positive, Crpl and Sgt Musgrave are already planning their return to Nepal and to take on Everest again to celebrate the Crpl’s 70th birthday. Next time, with the additional company of his grandson, who is currently just nine.

The Crpl is convinced his third Everest feat will be his best.

“I would like to have been faster,” he said. “The competition is on next time.”