Ilam: Gajendra Rai and Nirmala Rai have emerged victorious in the ‘Red Panda Marathon,’ a significant event aimed at promoting tourism, held in Ilam. Gajendra triumphed in the men’s category, completing the challenging 44.2-kilometer course from Chowk bazaar, situated at an altitude of 1,120 meters, to Sandakpurdanda at 3,610 meters, in an impressive time of four hours, 12 minutes, and 10 seconds. His victory earned him a cash prize of Rs 150,000.
According to National News Agency Nepal, in the women’s category, Nirmala Rai clinched the title by covering the same distance in five hours, 20 minutes, and 36 seconds, also securing a Rs 150,000 prize. The marathon saw fierce competition with Karan Rawal, Karna Bahadur Roka, and Shreekas Rai finishing as first, second, and third runners-up in the men’s category, receiving Rs 100,000, Rs 50,000, and Rs 30,000, respectively.
All winners hailed from the Tribhuvan Army Club, as stated by Ram Rimal, the Programme Director of Deep Jyoti Youth Club. In the women’s category, Sunsari Rokaya finished as the first runner-up with a time of five hours, 40 minutes, and 39 seconds, earning Rs 100,000. Kalpana Budha and Rajya Laxmi Shakya took home Rs 50,000 and Rs 30,000 for their second and third runner-up positions, respectively.
Moreover, Rajendra Myangbo secured the top spot under the local category, winning Rs 25,000. Bishal Rai, Ramesh Limbu, and Tanka Ale Magar were the first, second, and third runners-up, receiving Rs 20,000, Rs 10,000, and Rs 5,000, respectively.
A total of 62 men and 11 women from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police, and India participated in the marathon. The event was organized by Deep Jyoti Youth Club, with support from the Red Panda Network, Sandakpur rural municipality, and Ilam municipality.