KATHMANDU: Tribbhuvan Army club athlete Arjun Basnet and Kanchi Maya Koju won the Real third Kathmandu Marathon here today.

Last year's runner up Basnet timed 2 hours, 25 minutes, 36 seconds to pocket a prize money of $5,000. In the race dominated by the Armymen, Rajendra Bhandari (2:28:38) and defending champion Uttam Khatri (2:30:02) finished second and third to claim $3,000 and $1,500 respectively. "I am happy to win the race despite a strong challenge from Rajendra (Bhandari)," said Basnet. Basnet conceded that Bhandari's participation made this year's race more tough.

Bhandari said that he was not dissaponted with the result. "My target is the 11 South Asian Games where I hope to win a medal," added the former middle distance runner Bhandari. He was banned for a year after testing positive in doping during the 10th South Asian Games in Colombo where he had won double gold medals in 5,000m and 3,000m steeple chase.

Meanwhile, Mahendra Shahi, Arjun Prasad Dhakal, Ram Bhandari, Ram Kumar Khatri, Chandra Bahadur Mahato, Rewat Bahadur Dahal and Shyam Parajauli rounded up the top 10 finishes in the men's section. Athletes claiming top 10 finishes all received their share of prize money. All top 10 athletes except fifth-placed Dhakal represent TAC. Dhakal is the Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club athlete.

Koju won the women's marathon in 3:05:54 and claimed $3,000. Krishneswori Sintakala ended up second in 3:11:25 and Surya Maya Rai third in 3:13:44. Sintakala and Rai also won $2,000 and $1,000 respectively.

Army club athletes also led the one-two finish in the men's half marathon. Letter Singh Khatri won the race in 1:12:11 followed by Raj Kumar Bista (1:12:12). Nepal Police Club (NPC) athlete Bhumi Raj Rai claimed the third place in 1:12:38. APF claimed the top two spots in the women's half marathon. Bindra Shrestha won the event in 1:31:51, ahead of Gita Chhetri (1:34:53). Hari Devi Rajlawat finished third in 1:35:29. Top three athletes in both the sections earned Rs 50,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively.

Meanwhile, Moti Lal Chaudhary of TAC claimed the five-km boys' open race in 15:10.07. His teammate Kalyan Baniya (15:13.07) and NPC's Narendra Bhatta (15:15.10) ended up second and third. Chhaya Khatri of Nepal APF won the five-km girls' race in 19:17.07. Mira Rai of People's Liberation Army (PLA) Club and Sarita Tamang of APF finished second and third respectively. Top three winners in both the category earned Rs 25,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively.

In all, 2,030 athletes took part in the run organised by Kathmandu Marathon Pvt Ltd. The organisers will present the cash prizes on October 12.