BUTWAL, Jan 11: Nepal Army Mid-Western Division Headquarters, Butwal has organized Victory Marathon and Unity Run Competition on the occasion of National Unity Day on Saturday.
A total of 3500 runners had participated in the marathon which was categorized as full marathon and half marathon of 42 and 21 kilometers respectively. Similarly, Unity Run was of 10 and 5 km.
The event was inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Minister Ishwor Pokharel.
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According to Nepal Army Mid-Western Division Headquarters Butwal, the Marathon was organized to disseminate the message of national unity and promote the national campaign of Visit Nepal Year 2020.
With an aim of encouraging the participants, Deputy Prime Minister Pokharel, Chief Minister of Province 5 Shankar Pokharel, Provincial Minister for Internal Affairs and Law Kul Prasad KC and Provincial Minister for Tourism Lila Giri also participated in 5 KM Unity Run.
Likewise, Chief of Nepal Army Mid-Western Division Headquarters Major General Sitaram Khadka informed that the event aimed to commemorate the historic victory of Nepal Army over the British Army at Jeetgadhi Fort, Butwal and publicize VNY 2020 as well.
Nepal Army's Hari Kumar Rimal won the full marathon completing the 42-km distance in 2 hours 31 minutes and 2 seconds. Two other army men Rajan Rokaya and Kalyan Baniya completed the run in 2 hours 32 minutes and 28 seconds and 2 hours 37 minutes and 4 seconds to be second and third.
Kanchhi Maya Koju of Armed Police Force (APF), on the other hand with a timing of 2 hours 56 minutes and 51 seconds, bagged the women's full marathon title. Similarly, Sarita Basi of Nepal Army stood second finishing in 3 hours 12 minutes and 57 seconds. APF's Krishna Khari Sintakala finished third. She clocked the race in 3 hours 32 minutes and 16 seconds.
DPM Pokharel distributed prizes to the winning athletes amid a special function. According to Major Prem Narayan Shrestha, the winner of the full marathon was awarded a cash prize of Rs 100000, the first runner up with Rs 50000 and second runner up with Rs 25000.
Similarly, winner, first runner up and second runner up of half Marathon were prized with Rs, 50000, Rs 24000 and Rs15000 respectively. Likewise, winner of 10 km Unity Run received a cash prize of Rs 15000 while second and third received Rs 10000 and 5000 respectively.
