“I had read in the book about this race where the winner used to be king for a whole year. As a winner, I am feeling like a king now,” said Nepal army athlete Tamang after winning the race. “I was aiming victory which I have got. I have won the race necessary for becoming a king,” said elated Tamang. [break]
Tamang bagged cash prize Rs 50,500 after completing the 13 KM trail from Chepeghat to Lig-Lig Kot in Gorkha district in first place with the timing of 58 minutes and 58 second. Likewise, Army athletes Kalyan Baniya and Homlal Shreshta stood second and third respectively with the timing of 59 minutes and 28 second and 1 hours 11 second. Baniya won Rs 25,205 and Shrestha bagged Rs 10,101 as cash prizes. Tamang had stood 8th in the first edition of the race two years ago. Tamang is also the winner of 70 km long Annapurna Marathon.
Similalry, Dharma Maharjan , Mahendra Maharjan of Kritipur and Krishna Gurung stood first , second and third respectively in the 5km race of over 35 years old men participants covering the distance from Badagaun to Liglig Kot. Similarly, Gita Khatri of Armed Police Force, Rina Kapali of Bhaktapur and Yandi Sherpa of Solukhumbu stood first, second and third in the woman´s Badagaun-Liglig race.
Winner of the game was awarded 5,000 rupees cash prize whole second and third position received Rs 3,000 and Rs 1,000 respectively. National sports Council Member Secretary Yubaraj Lama handed over the prizes to the winners.
75 athletes participated in the open Liglige race while 19 athletes took part in the over 35 years old race. Similarly 6 ran in the women´s race. Anil Thapa Magar, the chairman of Liglig Kot Tourism Development Committee, said that they have been organizing the race regularly for the last three years with the aim of keeping the historical aspect of the Liglige race alive.
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.
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