Hari Kumar Rimal and Kanchi Maya Koju defended their titles of the Kantipur-Runner Half Marathon winning the eighth edition on Saturday as Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) athletes clean swept top six poisitions in the men’s event.

Army athlete Rimal, who also holds national record of one hour six minutes and 41 seconds in the event, clocked 1:09:02 hours to complete the 21km distance in men’s category and win the event for record fourth time. He had set national record in the last edition. The-30-year-old Rimal, however was not sure if he would complete the race due to his recurring knee problem.

“I had thought to pull out of the race if I had experienced knee pain during the race. But I was confident to win if everything goes normal,” said Rimal who took the lead after accelerating the pace from last two kilometres. “I am really pleased to win the event for record fourth time,” said the warrant officer first class who started to participate in competitive race after joining Nepal Army on 2006.

Army athlete Hom Lal Shrestha (1:09:16 hour) completed the race 14 seconds behind Rimal to finish runner up. Jagindra Rai (1:10:09), Tika Raj Katwal (1:10:18), Kalyan Baniya (1:11:56) and Lal Bahadur Thapa (1:12:57 hour) were the other athletes of TAC to secure third to sixth place respectively.

In the women’s event, Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club’s Koju stamped her domination in the long distance race claiming the title for a record fifth time. The-36-year-old completed the distance in 1:21:28 hours. Koju, who had set national record of 1:18:26 during last year’s Pinkathon, said she didn’t have any threat for the title this time.

“I ran without much effort in my natural pace after I did not see the closest competitors while taking turns,” said Koju who led the race from start to finish. “I am very much happy for securing top finish and thank my coaches and well wishers for their continuous guidance and support.”

Santoshi Shrestha of Dhading came second clocking 1:23:43 while Bindra Dhanke Shrestha of APF was third timing 1:25:23. Army athletes Chandra Raut (1:27:20 hour), Reshu Basnet (1:30:15) and Sanu Maya Karki (1:31:22) secured fourth to sixth place finishes.

The event organised by Kantipur Publications started from the office in Thapathali and finished at the same point en route Maitaghar, New Baneshwor, Gathaghar and Sallaghari before returning from the same route.

The men’s half marathon winner Rimal and women’s winner Koju received Kite Plus Scooter from Runner Motorcycles in addition to cash prize of Rs 50,000 and gift hampers from Caliber Shoes. The second to sixth place finishers were rewarded with purse of Rs 30,000, Rs 20,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 5,000 and Rs 3,000 respectively.

The 5km corporate and media men’s title went to Ajaya Tamang (17:26.86 min) while Laden Pradhan (24:39 minutes) secured first position in women’s event. Both of them got return ticket to Hong Kong sponsored by Cathay Dragon.

Rup Lal Budha Magar (17:39.61 minutes) and Sher Bahadur Tharu (18:39.19) secured second and third positions in the men’s event. The women’s second position went to Lina Regmi (29:09 minute) and Sajal Pradhan (29:46 minute). The second place finisher in either category received return ticket to Pokhara and two-night stay package for a couple. The third place finishers won mountain flight tickets.

Ram Bahadur Tamang, Prem Bahadur BK and Mohan Bahadur Basnet claimed top three honors in men’s wheelchair race while Yami Tamang, Rojani Rai and Lali Tamang secured top three finishes in women’s event. The winners received Rs 20,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000.