Vinod Rokaya and Purnalakshmi Nyaupane Crowned Winners at the Lumbini International Peace Marathon

March 20, Kathmandu – At the fourth Lumbini International Peace Marathon 2026, Vinod Rokaya and Purnalakshmi Nyaupane of the Tribhuvan Army Club emerged as champions. Vinod claimed victory in the men’s marathon, while Purnalakshmi won the women’s half marathon title.

The competition held at the sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site of Lumbini highlighted the dominance of the Army team. The top three positions in the men’s marathon were all secured by Army athletes. Vinod finished the race in 2 hours 17 minutes and 55 seconds, earning first place, followed by Sushil Kumar Shahi at 2:18:16 in second, and Narendra Singh Raut in third with a time of 2:19:58.

Additionally, Wang Chi from China finished fourth, Julius Wakome of Kenya came fifth, Dalbahadur Kunwar placed sixth, Ishah Nungu seventh, Kulbahadur Basnet eighth, Hari Rimal ninth, and Karn Bahadur Roka Magar took the tenth position.

Vinod, the men’s marathon winner, received a cash prize of NPR 350,000, the runner-up Sushil was awarded NPR 250,000, and third-place Narendra took home NPR 150,000. Cash prizes were also distributed among the other top ten finishers.

In the women’s half marathon, Purnalakshmi finished in 1 hour 17 minutes 10 seconds to claim the championship, while previous edition’s winner Santoshi Shrestha came second with a timing of 1:18:40. Purnalakshmi had finished second to Santoshi in the previous event.

Army athlete Nisha Sarki secured third place with a time of 1:19:19, and Sunsari Rokaya was fourth at 1:21:46. Ruwan Siing was fifth, Kalpana Budha sixth, Rajyalakshmi Rawal seventh, Sandibha Budha eighth, Ashma Bik ninth, and Rasila Tamang finished tenth.

Purnalakshmi, the women’s half marathon winner, received NPR 150,000, the runner-up Santoshi was awarded NPR 100,000, and third-placer Nisha earned NPR 80,000. Additional competitors were also honored with cash prizes and awards.

In the veterans’ 5 km race, Dharma Maharjan finished first, Ramchandra Shrestha came second, and Revat Bahadur Dahal took third place. For the men’s 5 km open race, Nageshwar Ahir of the Nepal Police Club came first, Army’s Rupesh Karki finished second, and India’s Prince Nisad placed third.

In the girls’ 5 km race, Dipshikha Shahi secured first place, Swastika Shahi came second, and Budha finished third. In the boys’ category, Yuvraj Budha placed first, Ramesh Budha second, and Arvind Kumar Yadav third.

A 3 km walkathon was also organized as part of the marathon events. The competition took place in Lumbini under the organization of Nepal Olympic Committee and with support from the Chinese Embassy.

The winners were awarded prizes, medals, and certificates by NOC President Jeevan Ram Shrestha, Vice President and Coordinator Ashok Bajracharya, among others.