Kathmandu, October 10

Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) athletes dominated the ninth edition of the Kathmandu Marathon winning all major titles here at the Dasharath Stadium.

TAC not only clean swept marathon but they also dominated half marathon in both men and women’s sections and claimed top two positions in five-km race. Ultra-runner Purna Tamang completed the 42.195-km race in two hours, 22 minutes and 19 seconds to win the men’s marathon, finishing ahead of TAC teammates Hom Lal Shrestha, who came in two hours, 22 minutes and 50 seconds and Ultra-runner Tirtha Tamang (2:24:19).

Purna Tamang said he was happy to win the maiden marathon title in his 11-year career. “I used to finish third or fourth in previous editions but today I could win the title and that has given me immense pleasure,” he said. “I was not able to train properly as I had to attend my uncle at the hospital,” said Tamang, who has been participating in the event since the first edition of the Kathmandu Marathon in 2007.

The top three finishers received Rs 45,000, Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively, while others in the top 10 also got cash prizes.

In half marathon, Kalyan Baniya completed the race in one hour and 11 minutes, beating his TAC teammate Lila Bahadur Thapa by just six seconds. Another Armyman Krishna Sunder TuiTui came third in one hour, 16 minutes and 35 seconds.

In women’s section, Reshu Basnet won title in one hour, 36 minutes and 28 seconds, while Hanneke Koenger of Holland was a distant second finished the race in one hour, 47 minutes and 50 seconds. Pasi Sherpa came third with the timing of two hours, five minutes and 26 seconds. The top three finishers in half marathon were awarded with Rs 20,000, Rs 13, 000 and Rs 7,000 respectively.

In 5-km open race, Hari Kumar Rimal finished in pole position with the timing of 19:34, while Tika Ram Katuwal came second in 19:45 and Umesh Magar was third in 20 minutes as the Armymen claimed top three spots in girl’s section, Bishow Rupa Budha of TAC won the title with the timing of 22:06, while her teammate Santoshi Shrestha finished second in 24:12 and Landsay Pipes of USA came third in 29:12. The top three athletes in both categories received 10,000, Rs 6,000 and Rs 4,000 respectively.

In 5-km school section, Khadak Budha Magar, Tashi Lama and Nar Gharti Magar claimed top three spots in boys’ section, while Humee Budha Magar, Mamta Tamang and Sapana Tamang came first, second and third respectively in girls’ category.

Likewise, Ram Bahadur Tamang, Ram Tamang and Pradip Chaudhary claimed top three spots in 800m wheelchair race. The top three finishers in school and wheelchair races received Rs 5,000, Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000 respectively.

A total of 950 players participated in the event supported by Plan International’s Because I am a Girl campaign.