Winners of previous editions of Nepalgunj Marathon lauded the route as the best running course in the country for long distance running. The eighth edition of the marathon is set to be held on December 10.

Gopi Chandra Parki, the gold medalist of 5000m race in the 2019 South Asian Games and the 2020 edition winner, claimed that the route of Nepalgunj marathon was the best race course in the country at a press conference on Friday.

“I have competed in the Berlin Marathon, I have also won almost all marathons of the country and in my experience, the Nepalgunj route is even better than that of Berlin,” said Parki, who also holds the course record of 2 hours, 18 minutes and 59 seconds.

Santosh Shrestha, the winner of last edition’s women’s half marathon also echoed sentiments similar to Parki.

The marathon course was recently approved by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). Meanwhile, actor Rajesh Hamal handed over the AIMS-approved certificate to Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City mayor, Prashant Bista and Kohalpur Municipality mayor, Purna Acharya.

Apart from 42.195km (marathon) long-distance race, AIMS also gave approval to courses of half marathon (21km), 10km and 5km road races.

Mayor Bista said that the Sub Metropolitan City was ready to take ownership of the event and they would leave no stone unturned to make it a success.

Apart from the long-distancegma race for men, the event will also feature women’s half marathon, 10km men’s open, 5km women’s open, 5km school-level boys’ race, 3km school-level girls’ race, 2km corporate run for men and women and 1km tricycle and walkathon.

The event is being organised by Creative Hands.