August 21 , 2012

Phurba Tamang of Solukhumbu bagged the title of 10th Coca-Cola Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon at Namche Bazaar on May 29.

The highest marathon in the world is organized to commemorate the first ascent of Mt Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa on May 29, 1953.

Tamang — who was forced to quit the race midway last year due to injury —finished the race in 3 hours 41 minutes and 31 seconds to claim his third Everest Marathon title. Tamang had won the race in 2009 and 2010.

Ram Kumar Rajbhandari (3:54:51 hrs) and Sudip Kulung Rai (4:00:54 hrs) finished the race as runners-up. The top three finishers got richer by $1,000, $500 and $300 respectively.

The race started from Gorak Shep near the Everest Base Camp and ended at Namche Bazaar.

In women’s section, Ang Futi Sherpa claimed title hat trick by finishing the race in 5:14:44 hrs. Mingma Lama claimed second position with the timing of 5:18:56, while Tashi Jangbu Sherpa finished third with the timing of 5:54:23.

Sherpa had won the race in 2008, 2010 and 2011. The top three athletes claimed $500, $300 and $200 respectively.

Among foreigners, James Scott of the USA came first in 5:22:07, while India’s Kelsang Dorjee (5:38:2) and Ryan Wolfarm (5:48:07) of USA finished second and third respectively. In women’s section, Tsring Palma of India claimed the title in 6:25:33, ahead of Anette Walfarm (7:16:50) of Germany and Jenifer Waldren (7:37:40) of US.

In half marathon, Tempre Cladwell finished with the timing of 2:55:39, while Anthony Hall (3:12:1)2 and Joseph Kurt (3:37:08) finished second and third respectively.

Indian envoy to Nepal Jayant Prasad, among others, distributed prizes to the winners. A total of 145 runners — 93 from Nepal and 62 foreigners — participated in the 10th edition of the race organized by Himalayan Expedition.