APF sweep Kathmandu Marathon

Kathmandu, November 18:

Akkal Bahadur Bohara of Armed Police Force won the first International Kathmandu Marathon ahead of fellow club runners Arjun Prasad Dhakal and Amar Bahadur Shahi today. Bohara, who took lead after 30 kilometres, finished the race in 2 hours 31 minutes and 02 seconds to win the championship and Rs 100,000. He also earned a chance to represent the country in next year’s Paris Marathon.

“I remembered my god and I cannot express my happiness with words,” said Bohara after completing the race. “Now I will perform even better in the Paris Marathon,” said Bohara.

Dhakal, who was with the leaders pack along with Gagan Singh Budha Ayer, Bohara, Shahi and Narayan Deshar till 27 kilometres, finished second in 2:31:27, while Shahi came third in 2:32:42. The runners-up earned Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 respectively.

Deshar of Mahendra Police Club (2:34:39) and Padam Bahadur Shrestha of Tribhuvan Army Club (2:40:40) finished fourth and fifth.

Out of the total 63 participants including a foreigner Richard Yadfr, 26 runners completed the race. French Ambassador to Nepal Michel Jolivet and National Sports Council member secretary Jeevan Ram Shrestha gave away prizes to the winners of the event, which was organised by Kathmandu Athletics Club.