The Nepal Army on Sunday felicitated seven of its athletes for their achievements at various international ultra races.

Chief of Army Staffs General Rajedra Chhettri feted Samir Tamang, Tirtha Bahadur Tamang, Bhim Bahadur Gurung, Purna Tamang, Bed Bahadur Sunuwar, Uttam Khatri and Rejina Bhandari with cash rewards at the Army Headquarters. Dating back to 2013, Samir had clinched six medals including three gold medals. He had won the Luntau Hong Kong 100km race, MSIG Hong Kong and Austria 50km. 

Another ultra runner Tirtha had claimed six medals in various events including gold medal in five of them. He had won the Dali City China, Oxfarm Trail Walker Hong Kong, Vibram Hong Kong, Serzeenal Marathon Switzerland and UTMR Italy and Switzerland held since 2013. Bhim had won five gold medals and a silver. He had struck gold in the World Series Sky Running in China, Oxfarm Trial Walker Hong Kong, Sky Running in Italy, Ultra Trail Sky Running in France and World Series Salmon. 

Purna had won the North Face Hong Kong Marathon while Bed Bahadur had earned gold medal in the Oxfarm Trail Walker Marathon Hong Kong and Asian Mountain Marathon. Uttam was felicitated for winning two gold medals in the Oxfarm Trailer Walker marathon in 2013 and 2014. The only women runner to be felicitated was Rejina who had clinched the 64-km Ultra Marathon Running title in Switzerland and Trubelstock Ultra Marathon in Switzerland. “You are not just the pride of the Army but of the entire nation,” said General Chhetri adding the NA is willing to support the athletes in any way that can help grow their career.