Stage set for 2026 Asian Games Fun Run

By Kathmandu, Mar. 14: The Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) announced on Friday that all preparations for the 2026 Asian Games Fun Run have been completed.

Organised by the NOC as part of the Olympic Council of Asia’s (OCA) Asian Games for All initiative, the event will take place on Saturday morning, 14 March. Designed to promote the forthcoming 20th Asian Games and to spread the values of sport across communities in Asia, Fun Runs are being held in various cities across the continent. The 20th edition will be hosted in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from 19 September to 4 October.

At a press conference at the NOC House in Satdobato, Lalitpur, NOC President Jeevan Ram Shrestha said the Fun Run has long been a promotional initiative for the Games. “Its main purpose is to promote the Asian Games. Moreover, the event also aims to instil the spirit of sport, unity and participation at community level,” he said. 

Shrestha added that the run also demonstrates Nepal’s solidarity with Japan in ensuring the success of the Asiad.

The run will begin at 7:30am in the NOC compound before passing through B&B Hospital Gate, Gwarko, Prabhat School, Lubhu, Kanibaha, Oku Baha, Thaina, Chakrabahi and Hauga, finishing at Patan Durbar Square in Mangal Bazaar. Covering 2.3 kilometres, the route will give participants the chance to experience Lalitpur’s heritage sites. 

“By finishing at Patan Durbar Square, we want to highlight Nepal’s cultural treasures and send a heritage message alongside the Games,” Shrestha added.

The Fun Run is being held in line with the Asian Games calendar, and Nepal had also staged Fun Run ahead of two previous editions.  OCA Deputy Director Vinod Tiwari noted that Nepal’s Fun Run is the second promotional event for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held on 2026, following one held in Doha, Qatar, last February.

A five‑member organising committee, chaired by NOC Secretary Ram Krishna Shrestha (Boss), has been formed. More than 1,000 participants are expected, including athletes, coaches, Olympians, sports officials, diplomats, security personnel, students and journalists.

During the press conference, the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organising Committee’s PR and Media Director Fumihito Kanaizuka gave a presentation on the continental sporting festival. Media and PR Manager Manami Okumura also attended the briefing.

The Asian Games, staged once every four years, will feature 461 events across 68 disciplines under 43 sports, with competitions spread across 53 venues. This edition will also see the inclusion of two new sports – paddle and teqball. Nepal has already registered to compete in 32 sports.