Khatri, Syangbo win Langtang-Gosainkunda Half Marathon

 Khatri, Syangbo win Langtang-Gosainkunda Half Marathon

Bharat Khatri of Nepal Army and Phul Maya Syangbo have won the men and women categories, respectively, of 1st TAAN Langtang-Gosainkunda Half Marathon 2016 held in Rasuwa district on May 29. Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) organized the event on the occasion of 38^th Establishment Day to disseminate the message that the Langtang-Gosainkunda region, which was devastated by the earthquakes of 2015, is now safe for tourism activities. Khatri completed the 21-kilometer half marathon in 1 hour 22 minutes and 55 seconds. Similarly, Homlal Shrestha (1 hour 23 minutes 35 seconds) and Govinda Prasad Adhikari (1 hour 23 minutes 46 seconds) finished second and third, respectively.Similarly, Syangbo, who won the women's category, finished the race in 2 hours 7 minutes and 26 seconds. Kamala Tamang clinched the second position with the timing of 2 hours 18 minutes and 53 seconds while Binda BK, who clocked 2 hours 21 minutes and 17 seconds, finished the race in third position.

The 21-kilometer half marathon began from the sacred Gosainkunda Lake and went through Lauribina, Cholangpati, Chandanbari, Dimsa, Deurali and Ghattekhola before concluding at Dhunche. TAAN Secretary Mukti Pandey, who was a participant himself, inaugurated the half-marathon by cutting ribbon at the Gosainkunda Helipad.TAAN Executive Members Ngawang Nima Sherpa and Taranath Lamichhane also participated in the event as athletes.Assistant CDO of Rasuwa Deepak KC handed over checks, medals and certificates to winners and runners-up. While winners in both the categories took home medals, certificates and Rs 50,000 each, while 1^st runner-up and 2^nd runner-up in both the categories received cash prize of Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000, respectively, along with medals and certificates.Speaking at the program, Assistant CDO KC thanked TAAN for organizing such a grand event in Rasuwa district. "We are hopeful that the event will be of great help in promoting tourism in Langtang-Gosainkunda region and to disseminate message that the area is now safe for tourist activities," KC added. He also requested TAAN to give continuity to the event in future as well.

In her welcome speech, TAAN Executive Committee Member Sarita Lama said that the half-marathon was a part of TAAN initiative to promote tourism in Langtang-Gosainkunda region. "TAAN is with the people of this area. Together we should work for promotion of tourism products and services available here," she added.TAAN Executive Member Surya Bahadur Ghimire emceed the program. TAAN Executive Member Pasang Sherpa 'Sangam' was also present at the program. Likewise, Temba Singh Tamang, chairman of District Sports Development Committee, said they were eager to join hands with TAAN to give continuity to the event in coming years.Presiding over the program, 1^st Vice President Tej Bahadur Gurung, who chaired the program, said TAAN was encouraged by the immense success of the half-marathon despite short preparation time. "Support and cooperation extended by locals and concerned stakeholders of Rasuwa have encouraged us to make the event bigger in the coming years, Gurung said, adding. He further added that positive media reports of the event will relay the message all over the world that Langtang-Gosainkunda region is now safe for tourism activities. source by TAAN