The third Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Open Marathon is all set to be held on February 10 next year in Kathmandu. 

The event will feature 10 categories besides 42.195km marathon, said the organisers Nepal Army on Thursday.

Open marathon for male, open half marathon for male and female, half marathon for male and female above 45 years age category, 10km run for military attache and foreigners in male and female category, 5km race for school boys’ and girls’ and 5km walkathon for civil servant, army, police and others.

According to Colonel Prakash Raj Thapa, the sports head of Nepal Army, they are expecting participation of more than 4,000 athletes in the event.

The event is organised to mark Nepal Army day which falls on February 13 on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri. “The primary objective of the event is to strengthen the relationship between the civil society and Nepal Army,” said Thapa.

Asked about the reason for choosing marathon among other sports he said: “Nepali athletes have big potential in marathon, where they can leave their mark at international level. So we have kept it in our priority list.”

The marathon starts from Bhadrakali before culminating at the starting point after going through Tripureshwor, Maitighar, Koteshwar, Suryabinayak, Pepsi Cola, Airport, Chabahil, Maharajgunj, Lazimpat, Gathaghar and Shahid Gate, said Nepal Army captain Bikash Malla, the former national football team goalkeeper.

Top six marathoners will be rewarded with cash prize with the winner assured of Rs 100,000. The first and second runner up will get Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000.

Top three finishers in the male and female open half marathon will get Rs 25,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000. The winners of all other categories will also be rewarded with cash prizes.