Nepal Army is organising the first Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) Open Marathon here on Saturday.

The one-day event will see men’s marathon (42.195-km), men’s and women’s half marathon (21-km) and 10km races along with 5km boys and girls’ run and 5km walkathon. A total of 2865 athletes will participate in the event with the men’s marathon drawing 230 runners.

In all, 718 runners will compete in the half marathon, while the 10km races will be participated in by 327 runners, the organisers informed here during a press conference on Thursday. The 5km races include 1081 runners and 500 will participate in the walkathon.

The men’s marathon will begin from Nepal Army headquarters in Bhadrakali and will passes en route to Thapathali, Baneshwor, Koteshwor, Sallaghari, Suryabinayak, Jagate, Madhyapur Thimi, Pepsi Cola, Sinamangal, Gaushala, Sukedhara, Narayan Gopal Chowk, Teaching Hospital, Lazimpat, Ghanta Ghar before ending at the starting point.

The top six finishers in the men’s marathon will get Rs 100,000, Rs 50,000, Rs 25,000, Rs 15,000, Rs 7,000 and Rs 5,000. Along with the cash prize, the winner will also get a motorbike and mobile. The podium finishers in the half marathon will get Rs 25,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively.

During the programme, Nepal Army also declared to honour the Nepal Army marathon runners with the lifetime achievement awards. The award will be given to the runners who participated in international competitions from 1951 to 1980. The award carries a purse of Rs 21,100.

Late Gajaraj Joshi and Min Bahadur Basnet, first two marathon runners in international arena, will be rewarded posthumously. Nepal’s first Olympian Bhupendra Silwa, Ganga Bahadur Thapa, Bhakta Bahadur Sapkota, Jeet Bahadur KC, Baikuntha Manandhar and Mukunda Hari Shrestha will also be recognised with lifetime achievement awards.

Pokhara Int’l Marathon

Ex Players Forum is organising the 10th Safal Pokhara International Marathon here on Saturday.

A total of 1500 runners will participate in the event with the champion assured of Rs 60,000 cash. The second and third place finishers will get Rs 40,000 and Rs 25,000 respectively.

The tournament is making a return in five years after it was halted due to financial constraints. (PR)