Khadka, who competed in the women´s 35-39 years age category, completed the distance of 42.195 km in 2 hours 57 minutes 10 seconds to break the national record by 1 minute 29 seconds and also surpass her previous personal best by eight seconds. Earlier, Nirmala Bharati had set a national record of 2 hours 58 minutes 39 seconds during the 2006 Berlin Marathon.[break]
The 36-year-old Khadka, however, finished 13th in her age group, 66th among the female runners and 663rd overall. Altogether 2,848 runners had competed in the age category with Russian Maria Konovalova finishing first with a time of 2 hours 22 minutes 46 seconds.
Altogether 38,873 participants completed the marathon, of which 17,393 were female runners, according to the website of Chicago Marathon.
Athletics chief coach Sushil Narsingh Rana informed that her record will be recognized as national record in Nepali athletics. "An amateur runner shattered the national record through her individual efforts. It is a challenge to runners training within the country," Rana said. "I hope this result will motivate the athletes of the country."
"Khadka´s record will be recognized as national record. Her record is similar to that of Bharati who set it during the Berlin Marathon," said Rana.
In the Boston Marathon held in April, Khadka clocked 3 hours 5 minutes 5 seconds. Khadka, who was Nepal´s sole representative, completed the race though the marathon was rocked by bombings that claimed three lives.
"Soon after the Boston Marathon, Khadka had arrived in Nepal and expressed willingness to represent the country," recalls chief coach Rana. "She bettered her timing six months after her arrival in Nepal, which proves her dedication to the sport. Athletes with potential like her should be given chance to represent the nation," said Rana, adding that he would propose during the meeting of Nepal Amateur Athletics Association to allow Khadka to represent Nepal. "As we don´t have any female runner who can complete the distance in less than three hours, Khadka could be a good alternative for us."
Only two female runners participated in the Real Kathmandu Marathon held about a month ago. Sonujaya Rai secured first position but took more than three hours to complete the race.
Khadka, who hails from Chabahil, Kathmandu, had left for the United States in 1997 to pursue higher education. She used to compete in 100m, 200m, 400m and other short-distance races in school. After completing her graduation in the US, she worked at the Habit Association which organized 5-km and 10-km races for tourists and her interest in the game was revived after she finished second among her colleagues. The Philadelphia Marathon held in 2007 was her first long-distance marathon. She has competed in the Marine Corps Marathon (2010), New York City Marathon (2011), Berlin Marathon (2012) and Boston Marathon (2012) since then.
Maharjan finishes 11th in his age group
Veteran runner Ram Krishna Maharjan finished 11th in the 50-55 years age group of the Chicago Marathon. The 54-year-old, who clocked 2 hours 50 minutes 45 seconds, finished 361st among the male runners and 400th overall. Altogether 21,480 runners had completed in the men´s section.
It was Maharjan´s best timing in the 50-55 years age category. He had achieved his previous personal best of 2 hours 51 minutes during the New York City Marathon in 2011.
Scott Tucker, 51, of the USA secured first position in the age group clocking 2 hours 41 minutes 47 seconds. Altogether 1,975 runners had participated in the age category.
Maharjan had secured first position in the same age group during the 2012 Sydney Marathon with a time of 2 hours 58 minutes.
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