Guerrilla Trail Marathon was held on 9th June, 2018, Saturday at Bhume in Rukum (East), the youngest district of Nepal, to promote historical importance and war tourism. The total distance of the race was 27 km starting from Mahat in Rukum East to Thabang in Rolpa district said Magar, coordinator of All Nepal Sports Association. In the upcoming year, the event will extend to Jaljala covering around 50 km.
Eleven women and 23 men participated in the event, coming from Rukum East and West, Rolpa and Achham districts.
Among men competitors, Durga Raj Budha from Rukum (West) won top position finishing in 3:03:23. Chet Kumar KC from Sisne Municipality, Rukum (East) came second finishing in 3:06:17 and Gopal Budhathoki from Sisne rural municipality completed the race in third in 3:07:04.
In the women’s race, Rojina Budha got first position completing the race in 4:25:34. Kabita Budha stood second in 4:25:34 and Gita BK from Sisne Rural municipality took third position.
The event was organized along the Guerrilla Trail, a route through Rukum and Rolpa districts where Maoist guerrillas carried out military activities during the 10 year long Maoist revolution.
The Guerrilla Trail connects the villages of Khara, Ratomate, Chunbang, Mahat, Dharmashala,Thabang and Jelbang. It further connects Taksera, Hukam, Maikot Pwang, Pokhara, Bafikot and Athbiskot in Rukum east and west.
The entire Guerrilla trail is a two- to three-week trekking journey that passes through several remote villages of Rolpa, Rukum, Baglung and Myagdi districts in the mid-western and western part of Nepal.
The trail was officially launched by the Government of Nepal in 2012. The major highlight of the trail are beautiful landscapes, traditional villages, Magar cultures and history of ten year Maoist revolution.
According to Sunil Kumar Roka Magar, “Guerilla Trail Marathon 2018” was organized in the Guerrilla trail to promote and conserve war tourism history. Kamala Roka Magar, the member of parliament and chief guest of the event says, Rukum (east) is full of natural beauty, cultural heritage and people war history.
An event like Guerilla Marathon will help to promote the tourism of Rukum, Rolpa districts and province No. 5 as a whole.
“There is great potential for such adventure sports in Rukum East,” said Ramsur Budha Magar, Chairman of Bhume Rural Municipality. “The region is one step ahead in the pro-poor tourism sector. We look forward to organising more exciting sporting events in future,” he added.
Medals and certificates were distributed to all the winners and participants of the event in a closing ceremony with celebratory mood.
The event was supported by Bhume Rural Municipality and co-supported by Triathlon Nepal Association and Pro-Sport Nepal.
