Kiran Thulung claimed the Helambu Marathon with a timing of four hours 32:30 minutes on Thursday.

Thulung got the better of Suman Kulung and Santosh Khaling, who finished second and third in the 42.197km course. Kulung clocked 4:38:45 and Khaling was a distant third in 5:52:30. Top three finishers received Rs 25,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively. The others who rounded up inside the top five spots also got their share of cash prizes.

Ganga Lal Tamang won the veterans’ category returning with a timing better than that of third-placed Khaling from the open category. Tamang clocked 5:26:50, while second-placed Bhim Bahadur Gurung also timed 5:50:47. Dawa Jangmu Sherpa completed the distance in six hours 45 minutes. The podium finishers got Rs 10,000, Rs 8,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively.

The race started from Kutunsang of Helambu Rural Municipality situated at an altitude of 2724 metres before finishing at Sermathang at 2560 metres. A total of 21 runners—18 in men’s and three in women’s category—had participated in the full marathon.

Sagar Shrestha won the boys’ 5km race in 24:11 minutes. He finished ahead of Dawa Dorje Hyolmo (24:49) and Prabin Bohora (28:53). Nima Dolma Hyolmo won the girls’ category in 37:33 minutes. Shreshan Shilpakar was second with 37:44 and Prakriti Suwal (38:17) took bronze.

Pemba Tashi Hyolmo won the men’s open 5km race to get the better of Dawa Lama (31:26) and Nino Sherpa (32:20). Rekha Bista was the lone runner in the category and timed 27:50 minutes.