Lalitpur, March 2

Veteran athlete Narayan Devi Singh is on Saturday leaving for the United States of America to participate in the Rock ‘N’ Roll DC Marathon to be held in Washington DC on March 12.

Singh, the first Nepali women long distance runner who ran for the first time in SAARC Marathon in 1988, will participate in the 40-44yrs age category in half marathon in the US. “This is my sixth international participation in half marathon and I hope to repeat the performance of London,” said Singh, who won gold medal in her category in London Half Marathon last year.

Her best timing in the half marathon is one hour and 29m, set during last year’s Sydney Half Marathon where she finished fourth. Singh will also participate in Toronto Half Marathon in May. “I skipped the event last year because of the earthquake. I will participate in that event this year but I am in two minds whether to go to Canada directly or come back to Nepal from Washington and go to Toronto later,” said Singh, who has been participating in international events on her own.

President of Nepal Olympic Committee Jeevan Ram Shrestha bade farewell to Singh today. “We are happy to hear that you have participating in prestigious events on your own,” said Shrestha. “Your contribution will not go waste and we hope to welcome you with record and medal from the USA,” he added. World Guinness Book record holder high-altitude runner Hari Rokaya, NOC joint General Secretary Rajeev Shrestha and Member Nilendra Shrestha wished luck to Singh.