Anish Thapa Magar and Bishworupa Budha won the Kantipur Half-Marathon in men and women categories, respectively, on Saturday.

The ninth edition of the annual event themed 'Anti-pollution Run', an initiative of Kantipur Publications, on Saturday morning saw over 3,500 participants.

Durga Budha and Krishna Basnet became first and second runners-up, respectively, under men’s category and Santoshi Shrestha and Bindra Danke Shrestha came second and third, respectively, in women’s category.

The event organised started from the Publications’ office in Thapathali and finished at the same point after traversing Maitaghar, New Baneshwor, Gathaghar and Sallaghari.

Similarly, the five-km corporate and media men’s title went to Rajesh Khadka (17:20.08 min). He defeated the title defender Ajaya Tamang by 35 seconds.

Ram Bahadur Tamang of Tribhuvan Army Club and Yami Jhankri defended their titles in the wheelchair race. The duo had won the event in the last edition.  

The top six place finishers of half-marathon in both categories were awarded with a purse of Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000, Rs 20,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 5,000 and Rs 3,000 respectively.

Apart from the cash prize and gift hampers, title winners Magar and Budha also received Hero Duet Scooter.

The winners in the corporate category received a three-night, four-day couple package to Bangkok, and the second place finishers received a two-night couple package to Pokhara and the third place finishers won mountain flight tickets.

The top three finishers in wheelchair race won Rs 20,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 5000 respectively.

Citizen Bank was the main sponsor of the half-marathon event, while Nepal Athletics Association provided technical assistance.

All photos by Hemanta Shrestha