Chinese athletes dominated the individual events, while Nepal claimed the team title at the third International Mountain Cross Country Race in Pokhara.

More than 1,200 runners, including 64 from China, competed in the 50-km event on Saturday. Nineteen teams from Nepal and four from China entered the team competition. The race was jointly organised by the Himalayan Tourism Forum, Pokhara Metropolitan City, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, and the Nepal Tourism Board.

The race began at Barahighat on the banks of Phewa Lake and finished at the same location, after passing through Chhorepatan, Ramdi, Phusrekhola, Fedikhola in Syangja, Pumdibhumdi and Pame.

In the men’s race, Ang Zhang Zhen of China took first place with a time of 3 hours, 44 minutes and 12 seconds. Zhengwang Rong completed China’s sweep, winning the women’s title in 4:41:48.

Nepal’s Kul Bahadur Basnet and Hom Lal Shrestha claimed second and third place in the men’s race, clocking 3:48:02 and 3:53:33, respectively. Gopal Tamang (3:55:43) and Tilak Sunar (4:00:46) finished fourth and fifth.

In the women’s race, Nepal’s Kalpana Budha secured second place with a time of 4:00:50, followed by Rammaya Budha in third at 5:08:18. Lakpa Ningma Sherpa (5:25:25) and Minu Budha (5:30:39) rounded out the top five.

The top three finishers in the individual categories received cash prizes of Rs152,800, Rs114,600 and Rs76,400. Those finishing fourth through seventh took home Rs38,200 each and eighth through tenth collected Rs19,100 each.

The Nepali team of Sushil Shahi, Srijan Poudel, and Srikash Rai clinched the team championship with a combined time of 4:20:14. The Nepal Army team of Karan Rawat, Narendra Singh Rawat and Nirmala Rai finished second in 4:22:29, while the Armed Police Forces team of Laxman Malla, Niraj Bhatta Chhetri and Pushpa Bhandari secured third place with a time of 4:23:08.

Fourth place went to Province 1 team of Bishal Rai, Ramesh Limbu and Indrakala Rai. Another Nepal Army team of Poorna Lakshmi Rai, Khadga Bahadur Khadka and Rajan Rokaya finished fifth.

The team winners received Rs458,400, while the runners-up earned Rs343,800, third-place Rs229,200, fourth-place Rs152,800, and fifth Rs95,500, along with medals and certificates.

Badal Karki, Narayani Bhandari shine among students

Badal Karki and Narayani Bhandari claimed victory in the 5km Student Race for boys and girls in Pokhara. Over 500 students from various educational institutions participated in the race that was part of the third International Cross Country Competition.

The course started from Barahighat on the Phewa Lake bank, winded through Gourighat, Sahidchowk, Rastra Bank Chowk, Damsite and back to Barahighat.

In the boys’ category, Karki from Kaski Modernized Academy won the race in 14 minutes and 57.3 seconds. Krishna Pariyar of Kalika Madhyamik Vidhyalaya (15:01.4) and Ramesh Budha of Tripura Secondary School (15:14.4) took second and third places.

In the girls’ section, Bhandari of Chorepatan Secondary School won with a time of 18 minutes and 52.2 seconds. Swikriti Karki of Kalika Madhyamik (19:38.2) and Juhi Rai of Shree Singheswari (19:53.2) took second and third.

Alongside medals and certificates, the winners in each category received Rs30,000; runners-up were awarded Rs25,000; and third-place finishers earned Rs20,000. Participants coming in fourth through sixth each received Rs10,000.