In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the first successful ascent of Annapurna, a special trail race titled Annapurna Trail Race was held today in the Myagdi district. The competition, organized along the Maurice Herzog Trail, from ABC (4,091 meters) to Narchyang village of Annapurna-4, saw Kushal Purja from Annapurna Rural Municipality–7, Gharamdi, emerge victorious.
Purja completed the 36-kilometer race in 2 hours, 47 minutes, and 37 seconds, securing the first position. The event was part of a broader celebration marking the historic ascent of Annapurna I by French climber Maurice Herzog on June 3, 1950, the first-ever successful climb of a peak above 8,000 meters.
The second position was claimed by Lok Bahadur Baruwal, with a time of 2 hours, 52 minutes, and 51 seconds, while Sanjay Bahadur Baruwal finished third with 3 hours, 8 minutes, and 37 seconds, according to Khadga Ranabhat, founding chair of the Former Athletes’ Forum, which managed the event.
The race kicked off from ABC at 6:30 AM, featuring the participation of 40 runners from the Myagdi district. Notably, 24-year-old Kushal Purja is a member of the Indian Gorkha Regiment, while Lok Bahadur Baruwal, also 24, serves in the Nepal Army.
As part of the celebration, a prize distribution ceremony was scheduled for this afternoon at Narchyang Bensi, where the winners will receive cash prizes of NPR 50,000, 30,000, and 20,000, respectively, along with certificates. This was confirmed by Bharat Kumar Pun, Chairperson of Annapurna Rural Municipality.
According to the organizers, the race aims to promote the Maurice Herzog Trail, which connects the ABC and Narchyang, highlighting its potential as a destination for both eco-tourism and adventure sports. The event is a key highlight in the broader festival being observed today to mark 75 years since the first conquest of Annapurna I, an achievement that not only made mountaineering history but also helped put Nepal on the global tourism map.
