The sixth Jumla-Rara Ultra Marathon has started in Jumla. The marathon started from near Bal Mandir in the headquarters of Khalanga. Gaurinanda Acharya, head of district coordination committee, inaugurated the marathon by blowing a whistle.
Saroj Shahi, president of Karnali Sports Club, the organizer, informed that 591 runners participated in the marathon. The marathon started at a distance of 51 km from Jumla to Rara Lake and started at 6:30 in the morning.
4 foreign athletes are also participating in the Jumla Rara Ultra Marathon. 2 runners from Tribhuvan Army Club participated and 4 runners each from Poland, America, France and India participated. 5 km and 10 km races were also held under Jumla Rara Ultra Marathon. 155 people participated in the 5 km race and 355 people participated in the 10 km race.
Players from 10 districts including Panchthar, Kathmandu, Nuwakot, Chitwan, Banke, Saptari and others have arrived in Jumla. A check point has been placed at the top of Khali Patan, Chautha, Dab, Chuchemara Base Camp, Chuchemara. Devidatta Gana Jumla is playing the role of a volunteer in the marathon.
The route from Bal Mandir in Khalanga to Chere, Khali, Nyyuri Ghat, Chautha, Dab, Chuchemara has been decided to reach Rara Lake. The organizers have estimated that more than 28 lakhs will be spent on the marathon. Marathon is organized every year to highlight the tourist beauty of Karnali through sports.
Jumla Rara Marathon is not only an event but also a means of producing athletes, said Hari Bahadur Rokaya, a world-renowned runner. The runners were bid farewell by playing panchebaza. Local residents from the villages have come to the headquarters Khalanga to encourage the players in the marathon. Saroj Shahi, President of Karnali Sports Club informed that the first place in the marathon will get Rs 1 lakh, the second place Rs 75,000 and the third place Rs 50,000 in cash, certificates and medals.
