Cory Wallace of Canada has set a new record at the Yak Attack Mountain Bike Race, winning the trail race for the fourth time in a row.

Wallace left behind 24 contestants from 12 nations to win the 13th edition of the race, completing the distance of 220 km on the Annapurna circuit in 14 hours, 41 minutes and 18 seconds. Wallace preserved his record in the race which requires the participants to cycle around the tough terrain and height of 5,416 metres above sea level.

The race which began on November 13 concluded five days later in Kalopani, Mustang. The participating teams reached Pokhara on the seventh day and then made it to Kathmandu a day later.

“I consider myself very lucky to have won another title on the circuit. The victory is a result of my hard work and struggle,” Wallace said after the presentation.

Nepal’s 25-year-old Roan Tamang clocked 16:59:43 to finish second in the race. He had also finished runner-up the Canadian cyclist in the previous edition.

“It’s a great opportunity to be competing with international bikers. More than finishing first and second, completing the race in such harsh conditions is already like winning,” Tamang said.

Rhys Verner of Britain finished third with the timing of 17: 36:24.

Only two women had participated in the race. French national Claire Demarquet completed the race in 22:57:14 seconds, while Italian Letizia Franco came home in 25:52:33.

Director of Mountain Trail Bike Ajay Pandit Chhetri said Nepali women could not participate this time around as they are currently in a closed camp preparing for the upcoming South Asian Games. Mountain biking is among 26 disciplines featured in the event that will take place in Nepal from December 1 to 10.

Harka Lama of Nepal won the above-40 age category completing the distance with the time of 19:21:15. Italian Albert Kircher stood second with 21:05:05, while Michael Peters of Germany crossed the finish line in 26:00:14 to complete the podium.

In the above-50 age category, Peter Urdl of Australia finished on the top of the podium pedalling home in 21:22:18, ahead of German national Faruk Baer (23:44:17) while Jeff Schmerler of the United States clocked 27:55:44 to claim the third spot.

The race, which previously traversed through Shivapuri in Kathmandu, Nuwakot, Gorkha and Lamjung before entering the Annapurna circuit, has been flagged off from Lamjung since its tenth edition.