The eighth Kantipur-Runner Half Marathon was held amid fanfare in the Capital on Saturday, with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurating the annual race.

PM Oli and Chairman and Managing Director of KMG Kailash Sirohiya also took part in the run, motivating the participants.

The event, which was held on Falgun 7 in previous years coinciding with the anniversary of Kantipur Publications, was rescheduled this time round to accommodate more participants. It was held with the motto ‘Run for Prosperity’. 

The half marathon—one of the premier events on the Nepali marathon calendar—drew more than 2,500 participants. There were six races—men’s and women’s half marathon, men’s and women’s corporate/media 5km and men’s and women’s wheelchair race.

Inaugurating the event, PM Oli said the county has moved ahead in the race of development and prosperity.

Also present on the occasion were a number of other dignitaries, including Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya and Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiri Babu Maharjan, top officials from the country’s security agencies.  

Hari Kumar Rimal from Nepal Army and Kanchi Maya Koju of Armed Police Force won the men’s and women’s races respectively. The two, also the winners last year, received trophy and cash prize of Rs30,000 each. They were also presented with a runner scooter by Raman Motors, the authorised distributors of Runner Motorbikes in Nepal—the title sponsor of the event.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurates the event as Kantipur Media Group Chairman and Managing Director Kailash Sirohiya applauds.

Participants of the wheel-chair race make a start.

PM Oli is given a tour of Kantipur offices by KMG Chairman Sirohiya after the inauguration of the marathon event.

PM Oli interacts with Sirohiya and senior officials of Kantipur Publications.

Hari Kumar Rimal cross the finish line to win the men’s half marathon race.

Kanchhi Maya Koju cross the finish line to win the women’s half marathon race.

Miss Nepal World Srinkhala Khatiwada, Miss Nepal Earth Priya Sigdel and Miss Nepal International Ronali Amatya attend the event.

Glimpse from the prize distribution ceremony on the occasion.

Glimpse from the prize distribution ceremony on the occasion.

Post Photos: Keshav Thapa & Shaligram Tiwari