Nepali Army's Pal, Neupane win titles of Gaindakot Half Marathon-2024

Nawalpur (Nawalparasi), Dec 30: Mukesh Bahadur Pal of Tribhuvan Army Club has won the title of the 'Gaindakot Half Marathon-2024' by completing the race in one hour 16 minutes and eight seconds. 

With winning the 21-kilomter race, the NA personnel has achieved a cash prize of Rs 100,000. Similarly, the second position has been secured by Gopichandra Parki of the Armed Police Force. He clocked one hour 17 minutes and 43 seconds to complete the target and bagged Rs 500,000. The event was held in Gaindakot of Nawalparasi (Bardghat-Susta East) today. 

The third prize was clinched by Army's Narendra Singh Rawat, bagging a cash prize of Rs 25,000.

He took one hour 18 minutes and 51 seconds to complete the race. 

Sanjaya Shrestha of Army (one hour 21 minutes 55 seconds), Ramji Basnet of Army (one hour 28 minute and 10 seconds), Dhanu Manandhar from Syangja (one hour 34 minutes and 46 seconds), Mingarsingh Tamang of Kathmandu (one hour 34 minutes and 46 seconds) and Khem Bahadur Shahi of the Armed Police Force (one hour 35 minutes and 49 seconds) won the consolation prize. Each was awarded Rs 5,000, Vijay Foundation Nepal's Chair, Trilochan Sapkota said. 

Single amputee (without right hand) runner from Dolakha, Nawaraj Karki, completed the race at one hour 46 seconds and 21 minutes to win the consolation award carrying a purse of Rs 3,000. 

According to Sapkota, a total of 141 runners from across the country completed for the title. 

Similarly, towards the women's category, Purna Laxmi Neupane of Tribhuvan Army Club stood first by completing the race at one hour 48 minutes and 46 seconds.  She bagged Rs 25,000. 

Likewise, towards women's category, Anu Magar of Nawalpur, Gaindakot-6, ran the distance in 2 hours 41 minutes and 5 seconds, securing the second position while Sunima Magar of Chitwan Kalika-8 completed the long distance race in 3 hours 1 minutes 37 seconds, standing in the third place. The athletes securing the second and third place will be awarded Rs 15 thousand and Rs 5,000 respectively.

In the five-kilometre student-friendly run, Manup Thapa of Janak Namuna Secondary School has stood first. He completed the race in 32 minutes 35 seconds and bagged Rs 10,000 prize. Anamol Bitalo of Kalika Secondary School clocked 32 minutes 44 seconds and bagged Rs 5,000 while Deepesh Magar of Janak Namuna Secondary School covered the distance in 32 minutes 52 seconds and received Rs 3,000 prize.

Likewise, towards girl's category, Surtana Darai of Bijaya Samudayik Shiksha Sadan School completed the race in 43 minutes three seconds and clinched the first position. She won Rs 5,000 prize. Samana Gautam of the same school stood second after completing the race in 44 minutes five seconds and bagged Rs 3,000 while Garima Adhikari of Janak Namuna Secondary School completed the race in 45 minutes 12 seconds and stood third, bagging Rs 2,000 prize.  

Three hundred and two students studying in class 10 from within Gaindakot Municipality participated in the student-friendly race. 

Mayor Madan Bhakta Adhikari, athlete Baikuntha Manandhar among the guests handed prizes and certificates to the winners.

Mayor Adhikari said that the municipality has been investing to the extent possible for the development of sports sector in the municipality. He added that the local government shall formulate policies and programmes for the promotion of sports in the coming days.

At the concluding session of the half-marathon, Chairperson of Vijaya Development Resource Centre, Krishna Sapkota said that the countries that are ahead in terms of development are ahead in sports sector as well. 

He spoke of the crucial role of sports in the development of the nation. (RSS)