Canadian national Walace wins mountain bike marathon title

Syangja, March 10 . Canadian national Kory Walace has won the title of International Open Mountain Biking Marathon held at Waling of Syangja on Saturday.

Kory completed 100 kilometers distance in 6 hours 20 minutes and 58 seconds to clinch the title. With the win, he has received cash prize of Rs 500,000 along with medal and certificate.

Likewise, Laxmi Magar became the title winner under women’s category. She completed the stipulated distance of marathon in 8 hours 9 minutes and 26 seconds. She bagged the cash prize of Rs 300,000 with medal and certificate.

Likewise, Soni Gurung clinched the first runner up in the women’s category by completing the distance in 8 hours 51 minutes and 56 seconds. She was awarded with cash prize of Rs 50,000, medal and certificate.

Under men’s category, Harka Bahadur Lama, Kamal Oli and Santosh Gurung won first, second and third title. With this, they received cash prize of Rs 150,000, Rs 50,000 and Rs 30,000, respectively.

On the occasion, Gandaki State Assembly member Mohan Prasad Regmi, Waling municipality Mayor Dilip Pratap Khand and Chief Administrative Officer districted awards to the winners.

Commenting on the marathon, Title Champion Kory Walace said the tournament among the ones he has ever participated was quite tough but has increased his confidence. “The site is appropriate for the mountain bike marathon”, he added.

The marathon, organised by Wonderful Waling Tourism Development Organization with the assistance of Waling municipality, had aimed at popularizing Synagja district as a destination of adventurous tourism all over the world, said Dinkar Nepal, chairperson of the organization.

Total 28 competitors including two foreigners and 26 Nepali nationals took part in the marathon. Walace has won the world championship title twice in the marathon.