JUMLA: Preparations for the seventh edition of the Jumla-Rara Ultra Marathon, organized by Karnali Sport Club, Jumla, have been completed.
Organizers announced at a press conference that all arrangements for the event, scheduled for mAY 9, are in place.
Speaking at the press meet, club president Saroj Shahi said the marathon is being organized to promote tourism along the trekking route from Khalanga Bazaar in Jumla to Rara Lake in Mugu, as well as to showcase Karnali Province through sports.
According to Shahi, more than 1,000 participants are expected to take part in the event.
He said 135 runners have registered for the 54-kilometer Jumla-Rara Ultra Marathon race. Similarly, around 650 participants are expected in the 5-km race and 200 in the 10-km category, with registration numbers still likely to increase.
Runners from India, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, and several other countries have registered for the competition. Participants from India and France have already arrived in Jumla, Shahi added.
Chief District Officer Deepak Kumar Poudel said the event is expected to help promote the natural beauty and adventure tourism potential of the Karnali region.
According to organizers, the registration fee for the 54-km ultra marathon is Rs 3,000 for local participants and Rs 5,000 for others.
Prize money for the 5-km race includes Rs 5,000 for first place, Rs 3,000 for second, and Rs 2,000 for third.
In the 10-km race, first place will receive Rs 10,000, second place Rs 7,000, and third place Rs 5,000.
For the 54-km ultra marathon, the winner will receive Rs 100,000, the runner-up Rs 75,000, third place Rs 50,000, while fourth and fifth places will each receive Rs 20,000, according to Karnali Sport Club.
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