In celebration of World Peace and Tourism Day, a mountain run competition will be held on September 28 (Asoj 12) in Pokhara, Nepal’s tourist capital. The event aims to further promote key tourist destinations, including the man-made World Peace Stupa, the giant Shiva statue in Pumdikot, and Buddha Park.
The competition, organized by Pokhara Click Pvt. Ltd., is titled “Pumdi-Bhumdi Mountain Run for Sports Tourism Promotion” and will feature an 8 km open race. The race route starts at the World Peace Stupa, circles the massive Shiva statue at Pumdikot, passes the Ward Office, and finishes at Buddha Park (Nigale Danda), according to event coordinator Dinanath Baral.
The winners in the open category will receive cash prizes of NPR 25,000 for first place, NPR 15,000 for second, and NPR 7,000 for third place, along with trophies, medals, and certificates. Additionally, a special cash prize of NPR 7,000 will be awarded to the best female runner, the best runner under 16, and the best resident of Pokhara Ward 22.
“We aim to promote Pumdi-Bhumdi, a rising tourist destination with immense potential, through this race,” said Baral. “We believe this event will contribute to the growth of both domestic and international tourism in Pokhara through sports.”
Taranath Pahari, President of Pokhara Tourism Council, emphasized that Pumdi-Bhumdi is ideal for trekking, hiking, and cycling, and suggested expanding the competition to include other wards in the Pokhara region.
Former council president Pom Narayan Shrestha highlighted that around 90% of tourists visiting Pokhara go to the Pumdikot area, and such sports events will help boost tourism in the region.
Senior tourism entrepreneur Ganesh Bahadur Bhattarai, Executive Director of Pokhara Metropolitan City Business Promotion Center Nawaraj Adhikari, and President of TAAN Gandaki, Krishna Prasad Acharya, expressed their belief that these sports tourism events would help revitalize the tourism sector, which has been slow in recent years.
The competition is being organized as part of a series of events leading up to World Tourism Day on September 27.
