Ang Dami Sherpa, 45, defended the women’s title as Bhim Gurung of Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) won the men’s race of the Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon on Monday.

Although the men’s marathon carried a bigger cash purse, it was Sherpa who stole the limelight who was running for the title once again after securing first position in the last edition despite being a pregnant. In the highest altitude marathon in the world that began from Everest Base Camp—at an altitude of 5,364 metres—and ended at Namche Bazaar (3445m), Sherpa clocked six hours, five minutes and 43 seconds. She had run the same course in 6:02.10 when she competed as a pregnant woman last year.

Dawa Doma Sherpa (6:17.55) and Nirkala Rai (6:33.06) finished second and third respectively. Gurung won the men’s 42.195k race clocking 4:01.54 ahead of clubmate Surendra Basnet (4:03.18) and Pasang Lama (4:11.28) of Lukla Friendship Club. “A race at this altitude is very difficult. I am very happy to have come first,” said Gurung after winning the race.

While the top three finishers in the men’s race earned Rs 100,000, Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000, the women winners received Rs 50,000, Rs 35,000 and Rs 25,000. Robert Celinski of Poland won the full marathon in foreigner category and Andrew Skidmore of the US triumphed in the open half marathon. Celinski timed 4:34.28 to get the better of Leif David Christensen (6:19.41) of Australia and Daniel Karen (6:55.04) of Israel. Skidmore clocked 4:15.20 to beat Israeli runners Tal Yagur (4:28.32) and Danielle Wolfson (4:28.33).

A total of 54 runners, including 27 foreigners, participated in the one-day event organised by Himalaya Expeditions Nepal. The marathon is usually scheduled for May 29, marking the anniversary of Tenzing Norgay and Edmond Hillary’s ascent to the Mt Everest, but it had to be pushed back for four months because of the April 25 Earthquate that struck Nepal.