Magar, Koju set records

KATHMANDU, FEB 20 - 

Anish Thapa Magar and Kanchi Maya Koju set new course records on their way to the  Kantipur Hero Half Marathon win on Wednesday.

Indian Armyman Magar, who hails from Parbat, completed the 21.1km course in 1:08:47 while Koju stamped her dominance in the annual event by winning the title for third time in a row. She clocked 1:24:47.

“It feels amazing to win race in my first attempt,” said the 25-year-old Magar. He broke the previous course record of 1:08:35 set by Hari Kumar Rimal of Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC).  

Both Magar and Koju were rewarded with Rs 50,000 each — Rs 25,000 for winning the race and an additional Rs 25,000 for setting new course record. Koju bettered her own previous record of 1:25:46.  

Rajan Khatri finished second and Gopi Chand Parki third in the men’s half marathon . Krishna Basnet, Rimal and Hom Nath Shrestha ended up fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

“I am happy to win the race again despite suffering a mild hamstring problem in the middle of the race,” said Koju. Brinda Desar, Krishneshwori Sintakala, Sarita Basi, Pushpa Bhandari and Saraswoti Rai rounded up the top six positions in the women’s halfmarathon .

Krishna Chaudhary triumphed in the men’s 3km wheelchair race followed by Bharat Adhikari and Nar Bahadur Dhakal in the second and third spot. Jyoti Aryal clinched the women’s category. Lila Adhikari finished second and Sonika Dhakal third.  Damodar Budamagar and Santoshi Shrestha prevailed in the 5km corporate and mediamarathon .

The half marathon began from The Kantipur Publications premises en route to Koteshwor, Bhaktapur, Sallaghari, Suryabinayak, Jagati and back to the starting point. Prime Minister Sushil Koirala inaugurated the race.

Posted on: 2014-02-20 08:58