The expedition organized a press conference in the capital on Wednesday and informed that the race will take place in a 13.5km trail from Chepeghat to Lig-Lig Kot in Gorkha district.[break]
According to expedition President Anil Thapa Magar, the winner of the race will receive Rs 50,505, while the runner-up and the third position holder will get Rs 25,205 and Rs10,101 respectively.
Meanwhile, the organizers have included 5km race for women and veterans. Top three finishers in these two categories will bag Rs 5,000, Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000 respectively.
Likewise, top three finishers among the locals of Lig-Lig Kot in the main race will get Rs 5,000, Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000 respectively.
"We have expected participation of more than 100 runners in the third edition. Around 15 foreigners also have already registered their names for the race," said Thapa Magar. "There were 15 national level athletes in the last edition and we hope the number will increase this time," he added.
Hari Rimal of Nepal Army is the defending champion of the race.
Lig-Lig Race is supposed to be a historical event that started from 1604 BS to select the king of Gorkha. It is also believed that Dravya Shah had won the race and became the King of Gorkha in ancient Nepal.
"Whatever was the motive of the race in the ancient Nepal, the current aim of the race is to promote historical Lig-Lig Kot as a tourism destination and to give platform to the local and national athletes," said Thapa.
Thapa also claimed that the support of the local people and organization like Lig-Lig Development Society, UK as well as management of Concept Nepal has encouraged the expedition to host the race for the third consecutive year.
The expedition has appointed athletics coach Lila Shrestha as the race director. "We´ll conduct the race maintaining all the standards of trail running," said Shrestha.
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