KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 22

The Association of International Marathon and Road Race (AIMS) has ratified the route of Dhara Nepalgunj Marathon.

The AIMS, which is affiliated to the World Athletics, sent one each certificate for four distances on Wednesday. "We received four certificates from AIMS for marathon (42.195km), half marathon (21.097km), 10km and 5km races," said Founder President of Nepalgunj Marathon TS Thakuri.

According to Thakuri, India's Amir Shanidwan had measured the course on August 28 and submitted the report to AIMS and the Nepalgunj Marathon received the certificate signed by International Measurement Administrator Dave Cundy. "After this ratification, Nepalgunj Marathon has received international recognition," he added.

The eighth edition of the Nepalgunj Marathon, which is slated for December 10, will start at Nepalgunj Sub-metropolitan City office and go through Janaki Rural Municipality, Kohalpur Municipality office and Baniyabhar before returning back to the finish line at BP Chowk.

"We had been organising the marathon on November 21 (Mangshir 5) to mark the peace accord between Maoists and the government but we were forced to change the date this year due to the elections," said Thakuri.

The organisers have already opened registration and the marathon will feature 10 events - men's marathon, women's half marathon, men's 10km, women's 5km, boys' 5km, girls' 3km, kids run (8-12yrs), 2km corporate fun, 1km tricycle, and walkathon.

"We are planning to increase prize money in some categories and we will have surprise package as well," said Thakuri. "We are also trying to invite athletes from at least eight countries," he added.

Nepalgunj Marathon became the second long-distance event to get AIMS certificate. The international body last month approved the Kathmandu Marathon organised by the NRS Foundation headed by Nepal Olympic Committee General Secretary Nilendra Raj Shrestha.

A version of this article appears in the print on September 23, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.