Changunarayan National Trail Run Scheduled for April 19
News Summary
- The Nepal Adventure Running Federation will organize the Changunarayan National Trail Run on April 19.
- The competition will include an open 36 km race and a 7 km race for Under-20 athletes, with more than 250 participants expected.
- The winner of the open 36 km race will receive a prize of NPR 100,000, and the event budget is NPR 2,811,000.
April 29, Kathmandu – The Nepal Adventure Running Federation (NARF) has scheduled the Changunarayan National Trail Run for Saturday, April 19.
At a press conference held in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Senior Vice President Rajan Khatri stated that, in compliance with the National Sports Act requiring an annual national competition, this year’s event will be the Changunarayan National Trail Run.
The federation aims to develop adventure running as a popular national and international sport, foster athletic talent, and promote adventure and tourism sports through this competition.
The event features an open category 36-kilometer race and a 7-kilometer race for athletes under 20 years old. Both men and women will compete in the 36 km open race, while U-20 males and females will run the 7 km distance. Initially planned as a 38 km course, technical assessment has adjusted the route to 36 kilometers, Khatri explained.
The trail run course includes a mix of paved and unpaved roads, uphill and downhill paths, and hiking tracks through forests. The 36 km race starts at Changunarayan Temple and passes through Trishul Hill, Telkot, Shri Panch Mahalaxmi Temple, Kartike Viewpoint, Nagarkot View Tower, Muhan Pokhari, Pani Muhan, and Pipeline Road, finishing at Changunarayan Municipality. The 7 km race also starts from Changunarayan Temple and follows the path through Trishul Hill, ending at Changunarayan Municipality.
More than 250 athletes are expected to participate in the event.
Prize money for the open 36 km category awards NPR 100,000 to the winner, NPR 75,000 to second place, and NPR 50,000 to third. Fourth place receives NPR 25,000, fifth NPR 10,000, and athletes placing sixth to tenth receive NPR 3,000 each.
In the U-20 7 km race, the first-place winner will receive NPR 30,000, second place NPR 20,000, and third NPR 10,000. Fourth place is awarded NPR 5,000, fifth NPR 3,000, and places sixth through tenth receive NPR 1,000 each. The organizers noted that all prize money is subject to a 15 percent tax deduction as per prevailing law.
This inaugural event is supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of Bagmati Province, the National Sports Council, Provincial Sports Development Council Bagmati, Changunarayan Municipality, Bhaktapur District Sports Development Committee, Toyota company, and 14 Pix Outdoor, among others. The estimated budget for the competition is NPR 2,811,000.
The federation highlighted the significant potential of trail running in Nepal and revealed plans to organize regular national competitions and international events in the future.
“The new government has also prioritized ultra and trail running along with adventure sports. Our federation plans to conduct fixed national competitions annually. Although this sport holds much potential, a lot of work remains,” said Senior Vice President Khatri.
“We are planning to host international ultra races every year. Meanwhile, around 25-30 races occur annually in Nepal. Some of these events collaborate with us. The Nepal Tourism Board is also in talks with three race organizers to discuss upcoming plans,” Khatri added.