Annapurna Marathon to be held on June 3

KATHMANDU, May 23:The fourth edition of the Annapurna Marathon-2024, organized by the Annapurna Century Tourism Committee and managed by Annapurna Rural Municipality Kaski, will take place on Monday, June 3rd.

According to Lalit Gurung, head of the Annapurna Century Tourism Committee and coordinator of the Annapurna Marathon Main Organizing Committee, the marathon was launched to promote tourism as well as to construct infrastructure at the Annapurna base camp.

On June 3, 1950 AD, French mountaineer Maurice Herzog and his team successfully ascended the first Annapurna mountain, setting a world record for ascending mountains higher than 8,000 meters. That day is known as "Annapurna Climbing Day". According to Coordinator Gurung, the Annapurna Marathon commemorates the same day and hence has its own historical significance.

Every year on Annapurna First Mountain Climbing Day, the committee holds the Annapurna Marathon, which runs from Annapurna Base Camp to Ghandruk (142.195 kilometers). President Gurung stated that the two editions of the marathon, which began in 2075 BS, could not be held due to Covid-19, but that it has been ongoing since last year.

According to Dilip Gurung, the committee's general secretary, the marathon course will begin at Annapurna base camp and continue through Machhapuchhre base camp, Bagar, Deurali, Himalaya, Dobhan, Sinuwa, Bhanuwa, Chomrong, Toulu, Ghurjung, Chuinle, Komrongdanda, Kimrongkhola, Uri, and end at Ghandruk.

In the Annapurna Marathon, the title of the first edition was won by Harikumar Rimal of Tribhuvan Army, the second by Khagendra Bahadur Bhat of Doti, the third edition by Dhir Bahadur Budha of Jumla and Ganana Bhandari on the women's side.

According to the organizers, the first, second, and third runners-up in the marathon for men and women will each get cash awards of 1 lakh 50 thousand, 1 lakh, and 75 thousand, as well as medals and certificates.

Special rewards have been organized as incentives for foreigners. The registration price for men is 7,000, while women pay 5,000.