Timbung Pokhari trail run cancelled

By Chandra Pandak,Taplejung, Sept. 14: The ‘Timbung Pokhari Trail Run’, scheduled to be held in Sidingwa Rural Municipality of Taplejung, has been cancelled due to the nationwide unrest caused by the Gen-Z protests.

The race, planned for Thursday at the tourist site of Timbung Pokhari in Sidingwa-1 Kalikhola, was called off following the violent turn of events.

The event was organised by the Timbung Pokhari Conservation and Management Committee with financial support from Sidingwa Rural Municipality to promote tourism in the Taplejung-Panchthar border area. 

Programme coordinator Amir Rai said the organisers had no choice but to cancel the race due to the worsening situation in the country.

According to him, nearly 50 runners from various districts of the country and India’s Sikkim had registered for the event, with around 30 already reaching the venue. Despite full preparations, including the arrival of guests and organisers at the site, the violent escalation of the protests made it impossible to proceed.

Winners in the open category were to receive cash prizes of Rs. 50,000, Rs. 35,000 and Rs. 25,000 respectively, along with trophies, medals and certificates. Separate awards had also been arranged for women and local participants.

Located at an altitude of 4,380 metres above sea level, Timbung Pokhari is one of eastern Nepal’s popular religious and tourist destinations.