POKHARA, June 3: Nepal Army Club’s athlete Khagendra Bhat won the second edition of Annapurna Marathon held in Pokhara on Monday.
The high altitude marathon saw athletes run from Annapurna base camp at the height of 4130 meters to Ghandruk. Bhat overcame defending champion Hari Rimal to win the marathon.
3rd edition of Annapurna Marathon to be organized in May
Bhat completed the distance in 4 hours 6 minutes 53 seconds whereas Rimal took 8 minutes 13 seconds more than the winner to finish runner-up. Similarly, Gopal Tamang finished third after taking 4 hours 22 minutes 29 seconds to complete the distance. Likewise, Sachin Gurung took 7 minutes 3 seconds more than Tamang. He finished fourth.
A total of 55 athletes from different districts and departmental teams participated in the event.
Annapurna Century Tourism Committee organizes the marathon every Annapurna Expedition Day in tribute to French climber Maurice Herzog who scaled the peak in 1950.
The top three winners received Rs 105,000, 75000 and 55000 respectively. Minister of Youth and Sports Jagat Bahadur Bishwakarma handed over the prize to the winners.
