The third edition of the ‘Cross-Country Race’ will be held in the tourism capital of Nepal, Pokhara, on Kartik 24 (November 10), organized by the Himalayan Tourism Forum. The international competition will feature athletes from Nepal and China, competing in four different race categories. These include the 50 km team and individual races, a student race, a 5 km run, and a 2 km “Happy Run” for teams.
The winners of the team categories will receive a cash prize of NPR 458,000, while the runners-up will earn NPR 343,000. Individual winners in both the male and female categories will receive NPR 152,000 each. The student category winner will be awarded NPR 30,000.
The 50 km mountain race will start at Barahi Ghat, Lakeside, Pokhara, and pass through Chhorepatan, Ramdi, Fushre Khola, and Syangja’s Fedikhola, before concluding at Barahi Ghat. The race will offer participants a scenic view of the area, including Pumdibhumdi, Shanti Stupa, Fewa Lake, and Pame.
Chinese athletes, who will be participating in the competition, will travel to Pokhara on a chartered flight, as confirmed by the event coordinator, Bishweshankar Palikhe. He believes that the event will strengthen Nepal-China ties and contribute to the promotion of tourism between the two countries.
Pokhara, known as a hub for adventure sports, has previously hosted international events such as the Enduro Cycle Race, Dragon Boat Race, Triathlon, and Paragliding. Chinese tourists have been increasingly attracted to adventure tourism in the region, with activities such as ziplining, bungee jumping, and ultralight flights.
According to Laxman Subedi, President of the Hotel Association Pokhara, about 40% of Chinese tourists visiting Nepal come to Pokhara. The Pokhara Tourism Council believes that the city has great potential to attract more Chinese tourists for both tourism and business purposes.
The ‘Cross-Country Race’ will also contribute to the promotion of tourism in Pokhara and other tourist regions of Nepal within China, says Taranath Pahari, President of the Pokhara Tourism Council.
In terms of transportation, a chartered flight from Sichuan Airlines will carry 140 athletes directly to Pokhara Airport. Despite the completion of the Pokhara International Airport, which has yet to handle regular international flights, the chartered flight arrival is a positive development, according to Suvedi.
The competition is being jointly organized by the Nepal Tourism Board, National Sports Council, Pokhara Metropolitan City, and the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. As part of the event, the ‘Pokhara-Kunming International Friendship Cities League’ will be held for three days, starting the day after the race. Additionally, Mountain Exhibitions from Yunnan will be showcased at the Pokhara Mountain Museum, and the Yunnan Sports Bureau will be donating sports materials to the Nepal Sports Council.
Source: RSS
