The first-ever national-level Open Skate Marathon in Nepal, jointly organised by the Nepal Skating and Skateboarding Association and the Gokarna-based Skate Land concluded on Saturday with Nimisha Pakhrin and Samden Gyalbo Sherpa emerging victorious in the women’s and men’s categories respectively.

The five-kilometre race, which stretched from Aalapot Chowk of Sundarijal to Skate Land, saw participation from around 200 skaters, both Nepalis and foreigners.

While Pakhrin was the first to complete the race, Monika Magar and Siwani Regmi finished second and third, respectively. Similarly, in the men’s category, Sherpa was followed by Anish Gurung and Safal Thapa to the finish line.

The winners of the first, second, and third positions were jointly awarded cash prizes of Rs50,000, Rs30,000, and Rs15,000 respectively, along with trophies and certificates. The awards were handed by Nepal Olympic Committee President Jeevan Ram Shrestha, Gokarneshwor’s Mayor Dipak Kumar Risal, and Nepal Skating and Skateboarding Association President Achut Khanal.

Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony, Shrestha expressed confidence that, as the Skating and Skateboarding Association is continuously organising various events under the skating discipline, the sport is poised to win medals not only within Nepal but also at the international level.

Similarly, Mayor Risal announced that the municipality would make appropriate investments in the future to support the organisation of such competitions.

Khanal stated that the association was committed to taking the sport across the country, focusing on both competitive and professional development. Meanwhile, General Secretary of the organising association, Satya Thapa, noted that they viewed the event successful as it saw a significant turnout, with hundreds of skaters participating from both Nepal and abroad.