Kathmandu: Local runners dominated the Everest marathon held to mark the Everest Day. It was Sudip Kulung who managed to outclass his rivals to win title in 3hours 42 minutes and 9 seconds. Running at the base of the Everest Camp, it was huge efforts on the part of Kulung to finish the race six minutes ahead of Bhim Bahadur Gurung in 3 hours 48 minutes, Suman Kulung who finished third wasn’t able to break the four hours barrier and completing the 42km race in 4 hours 8 minutes and 10 seconds.
In the women’s group, Ang Chuttin Sherpa came first followed by Mingma Lhamu Sherpa. Third place went to Lhahak Futi Sherpa.
In the foreign category, Robert Celinski and Radaek Serwinski both of Poland bagged first two positions. Celinski winning time was 4 hours 39 minutes and 39 seconds. Timothy Watson from England was third in 5 hours and 45 minutes.
Competition was also held in half-marathon and ultra distance. Apart from tourism, the event is organised on May 29, to commemorate the Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillay scaling of the world’s highest peak—Mt. Everest–for the first time in 1953.