Khadak Bahadur Khadka of Nepali Army and Olympian runner Santoshi Shrestha have won the title of the 13th Kantipur Half Marathon. Both became champions of Kantipur Marathon for the first time.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated the event on Saturday morning.

The event, organised by Kantipur Media Group (KMG), started from the Central Business Park premises at its Thapathali-based head office in Kathmandu.

The male and female winners of the marathon each received a prize of Rs150,000.

Prem BK and Aishwarya Kumal emerged winners in the 3-kilometer wheelchair race. In the category, Prem won the title for the first time, while Aishwarya became the champion for the third consecutive time.

In the men’s wheelchair category, Ramkaji Mijar and former champion Ramesh Khatri came second and third respectively.

In the women’s category, Aishwarya outran Yam Kumari Jhankri Magar and Rajani Rai. Yami secured second place, and Rajani came in third.

This year’s Kantipur Half Marathon, which is presented by Global IME Bank, carried the slogan “Let’s run for a greener tomorrow.”

Recognised as one of Nepal’s most prestigious road races, the marathon follows the ‘city marathon’ concept popular around the world.

The event features four race categories for both men and women: the main 21.1 km half marathon, a 7 km college run, a 5 km corporate and celebrity run, and a 3 km wheelchair race.

The prize pool has been increased this year, with Rs800,000 in cash prizes and an additional Rs400,000 worth of gift hampers.

The men’s and women’s half-marathon winners each receive Rs150,000, while those finishing second to sixth earn between Rs75,000 and Rs10,000. Wheelchair race winners are awarded, with Rs35,000 for first place.