GANDAKI: The Century Tourism Committee is going to organize the Annapurna Marathon in May this year.

The 3rd edition of the Marathon is going to be held from Annapurna Base Camp to Ghandruk covering a distance of 142.195 km.

Committee Chair Lalit Gurung shared that although two editions had to be postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic.

In the past, tourism festivals and Annapurna Marathon were held regularly to promote tourism at Annapurna base camp.

Although last year’s program was postponed due to unfavorable circumstances, this year it will be held as per the scheduled, said Mikas Gurung, secretary of the committee.

Hotels in Annapurna base camp were severely damaged due to avalanche four years ago on Falgun 15, 2075.

The tragic incident that took place at Hinku Cave on the Annapurna circuit trekking route and the global COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown had seriously hit the tourism business of the area.

The committee meanwhile has appealed to the local, provincial and federal governments to facilitate the economy by conducting a special relief package program to prevent the tourism sector from collapsing.