Like in the previous editions, the event this year will feature men´s and women´s marathons and half marathon. Similarly, the marathon will include open 5-km races in men´s and women´s categories, 5-km school boys´ and girls´ races and wheelchair races for men and women. [break]
The 42.195 km marathon will begin from the Dasharath Stadium and pass through Teku, Kalanki, Satdobato, Lagankhel, Jawalakhel, Pulchowk, Kupondol, Maitighar, Anamnagar, Kamaladi, Jai Nepal, Durbar Marg and Shahid Gate before finishing at the starting point.
According to Nilendra Shrestha, the chief organizer and president of Nepal Amateur Athletics Association, the winners of men´s and women´s marathons and half marathon will be selected for the closed camp of the national team run by the National Sports Council (NSC).According to Shrestha, they have expected participation of about 6,000 individuals in the event including runners from 20 foreign countries.
The top 10 finishers of men´s and women´s marathons and the top three finishers of other categories will receive cash prizes. The top three finishers of men´s and women´s marathons will get Rs 100,000, Rs 50,000 and Rs 20,000 respectively. Similarly, athletes securing the top three positions in men´s and women´s half marathons will get Rs 50,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively.
Title sponsor Real Fruit Juice, a product of Dabur Nepal, will provide the cash prizes and also finance promotional activities. The total cash prize of the event is Rs 746,000. Real has been sponsoring the annual event since 2008, the second edition of the marathon.
Meanwhile, the winner of CoAS Marathon, an internal marathon of the Nepal Army, will also be selected through the Real Marathon. Whoever finishes on top among the Army runners in the marathon will win the CoAS gold medal, stated Shrestha.
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