The final preparations are underway for the 3rd Pokhara International Cross Country Race, scheduled for November 9, organized jointly by Pokhara Metropolitan City, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, the Nepal Tourism Board, and the Himalayan Tourism Forum, Pokhara. The race aims to strengthen ties between Nepal and China through sports and promote tourism in the region.
During a press conference held in Pokhara, Bishwashankar Palikhe, President of the Himalayan Tourism Forum, confirmed that the event preparations have reached their final stage. Palikhe emphasized the race’s significance in fostering deeper connections between Nepal and China through sports.
A chartered flight from Kunming, China, arrived at Pokhara Airport today, bringing 134 participants and supporters for the event. According to media coordinator E. Pratik Raj Pahari of the Himalayan Tourism Forum, the competition will see participation from 1,200 athletes competing in four race categories.
The categories include:
- Team Group (50 km)
- Challenge Individual Group (50 km)
- Student Race (5 km)
- Happy Run Group (2 km)
In the Team Group category, winners will receive NPR 458,000, with prizes of NPR 343,000 and NPR 229,200 for the second and third places. Fourth and fifth positions will be awarded NPR 152,800 and NPR 95,500, respectively. In the Challenge Individual category, both male and female winners will receive NPR 152,800, with NPR 114,000 for the runners-up, and NPR 76,400 for the third-place winners. Additionally, cash prizes of NPR 38,200 and NPR 19,100 will be awarded for fourth to tenth positions.
The Student Race will award NPR 30,000 to the winner, with prizes of NPR 25,000 and NPR 20,000 for second and third places, and NPR 10,000 each for fourth to sixth places. In the Happy Run category, all participants who complete the race will receive certificates. The total prize pool for the event is NPR 1,938,100.
The 50 km mountain trail will start at Barahi Ghat in Lakeside Pokhara and pass through several scenic locations, including Rastra Bank Chowk, Dam Side, Chhorepatan, Fusrekhola, and Pumdibhumdi, before looping back to Barahi Ghat. The Team Group race will feature 21 teams, including 17 from Nepal and 4 from China, with 63 athletes registered to compete.
Hikmat Singh Air, Acting CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board, expressed optimism that the race would promote tourism in Pokhara and across Nepal. Wang Xin, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, highlighted that the event would further strengthen the longstanding ties between Nepal and China and foster unity between the citizens of both countries. Acting Chief of Pokhara Metropolitan City, Motilal Timalsina emphasized the race’s role in promoting national tourism and reinforcing the friendly relationship between the two nations.
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