British Simon Castro-Wooldridge is a trail runner with huge amount of experience in the difficult terrain of Nepal. Castro-Wooldridge also has the experience of running in the Kantipur Half Marathon having finished 10th in the last edition. But the 40-year old has prepared himself to make sure last season’s disappointment is left behind when the ninth edition of the marathon takes palce on May 25.

Simon is taking the ninth edition of the race not just as fun but a serious competition. “Last time I finished in 10th position and I hope to improve on that this time,” said the athlete who works as a freelance evaluator for development projects in the country.

The amateur runner is living in Nepal for the last four years and during the period he has also competed in quite a few trail run notably the 100k Annapurna Trail Run. “I had been in trail running for the last four years,” he said. He had competed in the last two editions of the Annapurna Trail Run and claims to have run other trail races as well.

He said: “Little bit of running is always good. I love participating in the road race.” He is also an active campaigner of Dristi Kathmandu, a citizen’s movement founded by concerned residents who decided to raise their voices collectively and raise awareness about toxic air pollution in the Kathmandu valley.

Simon said the half marathon would be helpful in raising awareness against pollution. “Anything that gets attention from media is positive as it helps make people aware of alarming issues like pollution,” he said.