Gajendra Rai of the Army and Nirmala Rai of Khotang have emerged winners in the open men's category and women's category respectively of the 44.2-kilometer Red Panda Marathon organized in Ilam with the aim of sending a message for the conservation of the endangered wildlife species, the Red Panda.

The winners of the competition, which took place from Ilam Bazaar, the headquarters of Ilam, at an altitude of 1,280 meters, to Sandakpur Danda, located at an altitude of 3,636 meters, each received a prize of Rs 150,000.

Gajendra completed the stipulated distance in 4 hours 12 minutes. Runner Karan Rawal finished second in 4 hours 13 minutes. Another runner Karnabir Rokka finished third in 4 hours 19 minutes. They are all Tribhuvan Army players.

The female winner Nirmala finished the distance in 5 hours 40 minutes 36 seconds. Sunsari Rokaya of the Army secured second place in 5 hours 40 minutes 39 seconds, while another runner Kalpana Budha finished third in 5 hours 40 minutes 57 seconds. Rajya Lakshmi Shakya of the Army received the fourth place prize in 5 hours 44 minutes 27 seconds.

In both categories, the second placer received Rs 100,000, the third placer Rs 50,000, and the fourth placer Rs 20,000.

Deepjyoti Youth Club, which has been working in collaboration with Red Panda Network in the field of red panda conservation, organized the marathon. Rajan Menyangbo of Panchthar, who works in the army, won the local section of the competition, which was aimed at participants from the Red Panda Conservation Areas of Ilam, Panchthar and Taplejung, with a time of 4 hours 39 minutes 10 seconds. Bishal Rai of Panchthar came second with a time of 4 hours 43 minutes 18 seconds, Gajendra Limbu of Ilam came third with a time of 4 hours 49 minutes 18 seconds, and Ramesh Limbu of Taplejung came fourth with a time of 5 hours 3 minutes 57 seconds.