Kathmandu:

Do you think you can run?” one elderly man was heard asking his seemingly same aged friend on the cool morning of March 17 at the Nepal Investment Bank Limited (NIBL) on Durbar Marg.

They were among the 2,700 enthusiastic runners who had gathered to participate in the much-awaited ‘Run for Fun’ marathon that had been organised by the NIBL for the first time as a part of its corporate social responsibility.

And Durbar Marg was a place to be on that morning. The cheery shouts of ecstatic crowd, the smiles and hugs between friends, and the music pouring incessantly from the naumati bajaas and Bagpipers accompanied by drums provided just the right kind of environment before the run finally kicked off. The racing crowd passed through some of the major landmarks of the Valley before returning to NIBL for the finish.

Arjun P Dhakal, winner in the professional category, said that it was indeed fun to run. “It felt really nice,” said another winner Tulsi Baskota in his wheelchair after winning in the differently-abled category.

The total cash prize money of the event amounted to over Rs 500,000.

According to NIBL Chairman and Chief Executive Director, Prithivi Bahadur Pande, the money generated from the event crossed their expectation of Rs 25 lakh. The amount, coupled with an equal amount given by the World Monument Fund, will go towards heritage conservation in the Patan Durbar Square area.

“We are committed to continue our support to various social and sporting activities as the bank grows,” Pande said at the prize distribution ceremony.

...and the winners are

21 km

Professional: Arjun Prasad Dhakal (50,000)

Amateur: Laxman Malla Thakuri (30,000)

Foreigners: Derek Coogan (15,000)

10 km

Veterans (40-50 yrs):

Mahendra Man Maharjan (15,000)

(50-60 yrs): Shiva Kumar Lama (15,000)

(60 yrs and above): Ravi Raj Thapa (15,000)

Ladies: Kanchhi Maya Koju (25,000)

Financial institution (Male): Bhim Awale (15,000)

5 km

School boys: Deepak Desal (10,000)

School girls: Brinda Shrestha (10,000)

Financial institution (female) Kalpana Subedi (10,000)

1 km

Differently-abled: Tulsi Baskota (15,000)

All physically-challenged participants were given consolation prizes.