Nepalgunj / Nepali Army runner Akkal Bahadur Pal and Dhading’s Santoshi Shrestha emerged victorious in the second edition of the Nepalgunj 10 Music Night Run held on Saturday night on a route certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races.

In the men’s open 10-kilometer race, Akkal Bahadur Pal completed the distance in 32 minutes and 18 seconds to secure first place. Bhupendra Sunar finished second with a time of 33:04:77, while Aravind Yadav of Narainapur, Banke, came third, completing the race in 33:08:09.

In the women’s 10-kilometer category, Santoshi Shrestha claimed the title after finishing in 39:09:00. Deepshikha Shahi of Kohalpur, Banke, secured second place with a time of 44:58:13, while Geeta Sahu of Narainapur finished third in 52:26:30. Sahu was the winner of the event’s first edition.
The veteran category (above 45 years) was won by 55-year-old Bharat Shrestha of Khajura, Banke, who completed the race in 51:03:17. Pushkar Bishwakarma, 69, from Gulariya, Bardiya, secured second place with a time of 1:00:44, while 69-year-old Mangle Tamang of Nepalgunj finished third in 1:03:59.

In the school-level 5-kilometer race, Samir Basnet, Basanta Majhi, and Naresh Kunwar secured the top three positions in the boys’ category. Similarly, Swastika Shahi, Apsara Bam Thakuri, and Janadevi Mahatara finished in the top three positions in the girls’ category.

Winners were awarded cash prizes and medals by Lumbini Province Assembly member Meena Shrestha, Lumbini Province Sports Council Member Secretary Tirandaj Gautam, former Member Secretary Bhim Oli, Creative Ganj Chairperson TS Thakuri, and Federation of Nepali Journalists Banke Vice President Karuna Shah, among others.
The event was organized with the objective of promoting social harmony, a healthy lifestyle, and Nepalgunj’s nighttime economy through sports and music. National singer Sunil Singh Thakuri delivered a lively musical performance during the event, while students from Sarth Integrated School showcased cultural dancThe Nepalgunj 10 Night Run is a full-time member of AIMS, making Nepalgunj the only city in Nepal to host two AIMS-affiliated races.

School to Olympic Program Held Successfully Prior to the race, Nepalgunj hosted the “School to Olympic” program for the first time. Organized jointly by the Nepal Olympian Association, Race Nepal, and Creative Ganj, the motivational program featured interactions between students and some of Nepal’s most accomplished athletes.
Olympians including Deepak Bista, Debu Thapa, Santoshi Shrestha, SAG double gold medalist Deepak Shrestha, SAG gold medalist Junu Rai, first-generation Olympian Surendra Hamal, and Nepal’s first female Olympian Parbati Thapa interacted with students from various schools.

Former vice-captain of the Nepali national cricket team and media personality Mamta Thapa facilitated the program, which organizers described as highly inspiring and fruitful.

During the event, Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City, Hotel Diamond Palace Managing Director Jivan Singh Thakuri, and KL Dugad Group CEO Pradeep Chhajed were honored for their contributions to the successful organization of the School to Olympic program.

Students from Angels School, Nepalgunj Model Academy, and Kanya Secondary School, Salyanibag participated in the program. Organizers stated that the School to Olympic initiative will continue annually across different local levels in Banke district.