The Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) recruit Budha, who was making her debut in the event, set a new record of 1:23:18 in the 21.1km half marathon. She walked away with Rs 75,000—Rs 50,000 for winning the race and another Rs 25,000 for setting a new course record. The winner of the 5km and 10km race during the sixth national games, Budha was jubilant with the timing. “I have only recently started participating in half marathon and to win it with a course record is very satisfying,” said the 20 year old, who won the Kathmandu Half Marathon in September.

The previous course record hold and the defending women’ champion Kanchi Maya Koju pulled out of the race at the last moment due to swollen foot. Koju of Nepal Armed Police Force Club (APF) set the course record last year with the timings of 1:24:47. Krishna Seri Sintakala (1:29:4) of APF and Sarita BC (1:30: 33) of TAC finished second and third respectively. Sonu Jaya Rai, Puspa Bhandari and Sharmila Chhetri finished fourth, fifth and sixth in the women’s

half marathon.  

Armymen dominated the men’s half marathon organised to mark the anniversary of the Kantipur Publications. Hari Kumar Rimal clocked 1:7:53 to win the race ahead of Gopi Chandra Parki (1:07:59) of APF and defending champion Anish Thapa Magar (1:08:00). Rimal had also won the event in 2012. “It was a competitive race and it feels good to win such a prestigious event. But I am disappointed for not being to able to improve on timing,” said Rimal.

The runner-ups and second runner-ups in both the categories were rewarded with  Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000 respectively. Bhumi Raj Rai, G Prasad Bhattarai and Krishna Bahadur Basnet came home fourth, fifth and sixth respectively in the men’s category. Runners finishing third to sixth positions walked away with Rs 20,000, Rs 10,000,

Rs 5,000 and Rs 3,000 each in both categories.

Hare Ram Nepal won the 5km Corporate-Media race in 15:58.07 ahead of Damador Budha Magar (16: 54.05) and Surendra Rana Magar (17:21.08). Santoshi Shrestha bagged the women’s category in 18:56 followed by Chhumi Budha Magar (20:18.85) and Sumita Koju (22:04.85seconds).

Ram Bahadur Tamang claimed the 3km wheelchair race in 7:33. Raju Aryal

and Sanjay Chaudhary finished second and third place respectively. Lali Tamang won the women’s category ahead of Yami Jhakri Magar and Jyoti Aryal.