Budha clinches Jumla-Rara Ultra Marathon title

Khalanga, Sept 16: Dhir Bahadur Budha of Jumla has clinched the title of the Jumla-Rara Ultra Marathon towards the male category. Dhirendra Bhandari, also from Jumla, took the second position while Dev Raj Mahatara of Tribhuvan Army Club came out third in the marathon organized for the second time, the organizer Karnali Sports Club Jumla stated.

Club president Saroj Shahi said Budha completed the 49 kilometres distance from Jumla to the Rara lake in 5 hours 13 minutes and 39 seconds. Bhandari who came second in the marathon completed the marathon race in 5 hours 19 minutes and 38 seconds while Mahatara finished off the race in 5 hours and 24 minutes.

Ram Maya Budha of Karnali Sports Club Jumla clinched the title towards female category. Manju Rawat, also of the Club, came out second and Rojina Bhandari of Number 24 Brigade Jumla came out in the third place. Budha completed the marathon in 6 hours 46 minutes and 35 seconds; Rawat in 6 hours 46 minutes and 40 seconds; and Bhandari in 6 hours 46 minutes and 57 seconds.

Sixty one out of the 63 athletes taking part in the competition completed the marathon. Five foreign athletes had also participated in the competition.

Technical coordinator of the marathon and athlete Hari Bahadur Rokaya declared that the six top winners of the Jumla-Rara Ultra Marathon towards the female and male categories have entered the final of the Nepal Trail Race Series.

The athletes coming out first, second and third in both categories of the marathon were awarded Rs 75 thousand, Rs 50 thousand and Rs 25 thousand respectively as well as medals.

According to the organizers, the race starts at Jumla bazaar (2305m), and finishes at the Rara lake (2990m). The course is a measured 49 km , although it is basically uphill and downhill, the trail undulates and there are three steep uphill and downhill Dhaphe (3500m), Kavra cave, Bhulbhule (2950m) and Chuchemara (4017m).

“We believe this 2nd Jumla Rara Ultra Marathon 2076 will definitely help to boom adventure sports tourism and athletes by offering and creating national and international platforms to compete,” organizers said.