KATHMANDU: Nepali long distance runners Uttam Khatri and Mahendra Bahadur Shahi today left for Singapore to participate in the eighth Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon slated for December 6.

The Nepal Amateur Athletics Association (NAAA) selected the athletes after their performance in the third Real Kathmandu Marathon on September 12 this year. Khatri and Shahi, who belong to the Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC), ended third and fourth in the event. Arjun Basnet and Rajendra Bhandari were the top two finishers in the event but since both the athletes have been selected for the 11th South Asian Games, the NAAA decided to pick up the third and fourth place finishers.

Both athletes said they would aim to better their personal timing as the tournament will feature world’s top athletes. Khatri’s personal best time is 2 hours 26.33 seconds, set in the Pokhara Marathon while Shahi recorded 2 hours 33.36 seconds as his personal best in the Kathmandu Marathon. “We know the race would be a tough one because of the high profile participation. We will try our best and gain confidence for the future events,” said Khatri.

Nepal have been participating in one of the reputed tournaments of the Asian continent for the last five years. The organisers, Singapore Athletics Association (SAM), have been managing all expenses for the Nepali team. Nepal’s biggest achievement in the event came in 2004 when Rewat Dahal finished ninth. The winner will earn $25,000 while athletes rounding up in the top 15 finishes are assured of cash prizes.

Lt Col Min Dhwoj Khadka accompanied the team as an official while Lila Shrestha is the coach. Shrestha will also participate in the International Association of Athletics Federation Academy Course for coaches, slated for December 4-18.