Pokhara Marathon to see more than 10,000 runners

POKHARA: More than 10,000 runners are participate in the 20th Safal Pokhara International Marathon being held in Pokhara on Saturday.

The Ex-Athletes Forum Nepal, the organizers of the vent, said at a press meet on Monday that 10,206 runners registered for the event. Of them, 3,506 will participate in competitive events, while 6,700 will participate in ‘run-for-fun’, said Dil Bahadur Gurung, the chairperson of the Forum.

“A total of 151 runners, including 60 from 21 foreign countries, are participating in the open marathon (42.195km). Similarly, 188, including eight foreigners, are competing in half marathon,” Gurung said.

Similarly, 207 male runners, including seven foreigners, and 86 female, including six foreigners, are participating in the 10-kilometer run.

The 5 km veterans category will feature 75 men and 30 women. Likewise, 1,650 male students and 475 female students will compete in the 5 km student race. Similarly, 160 women and 70 men are participating in 5km corporate run.

Former President of the Forum, Tej Bahadur Gurung, said the event has been held in Pokhara for the past two decades in line with the city marathon concept. “The objective of this event is to promote Pokhara—the tourism capital—as a sporting city on the world map and to boost tourism through sports,” he added.

Safal packaged milk of Sujal Dairy is the main sponsor of the event.

Runners finishing in first, second, and third positions in the open marathon will take home Rs 400,000, Rs 200,000 and Rs 100,000, respectively.

According to the organizers, cash prizes have also been arranged for runners finishing till the eighth position as well as for other categories.