Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club set a new national record in the women’s 4x400m relay in the 39th National Athletics Championships held under the first Lumbini Championships here at the Dashrath Stadium on Monday.

The APF team comprising Pramila Rijal, Dil Maya Karki, Sabita Chaudhary and Bindra Dhanke Shrestha finishing the race in 4 minutes 08.5 seconds. Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) finished second and Mid Western Region were  third. The APF team broke the previous national record of 4:8.91 set by Devi Maya Paneru, Sushmita Thapa, Binita Shrestha and Samigya Shakya during the 1998 eighth South Asian Games.

TAC clinched the men’s 4x400m relay in 3:23.8 ahead of NPC and Central Region. Dhirendra Jung Shah added to TAC’s gold medal tally winning the men’s javelin category with a throw of 54.47 metres. Narendra Jung Shah (51.09 metres) of NPC won silver and Bal Krishna Chaudhary (50.21) of APF bagged bronze. Likewise, Shima Kumari Tharu of APF won the women’s category with a throw of 35.68 metres finishing ahead of Chandra Kala Lamghaha (33.83) and Sita Rai of TAC (33.79).

TAC clinched the team championship with 16 gold medals, 13 silver medals and 11 bronze medals. NPC finished second and Armed Police Force Club (APF) third.

Hari Kumar Rimal of TAC won the men’s 10,000m race with the timing of 31:58.2. Gopi Chand Karki of APF was second (31:58.5) while Kalyan Baniya (32:0.0) of TAC third. Kanchi Maya Koju of APF won the women’s 10,000m title in 37:53, finishing ahead of Bishwo Rupa Budha (40:38.3) of TAC and Saraswoti Khadka (42:28.6) of Central Region.

TAC dominated the 800m run as Mukti Khadka won the men’s category with the timing of 1:56.9. Binod Gurung of Western Region and Laxman Malla of APF finished second and third respectively. Likewise, Laxmi Pandey of TAC won the women’s 800m race in 2:22.1. Manamati Bista of NPC was second and Bindra Shrestha of APF third.