KATHMANDU: Nepali Army (NA)’s Corporal Rajan Rokaya secured the first position in this year’s 11th edition of Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Open Marathon.

Rokaya completed the full marathon distance in 2 hours 15 minutes and 53 seconds, according to the NA’s Directorate of Public Relations and Information.

The Marathon was organized on the occasion of Maha Shivarattri and Nepali Army Day.

It featured a 42.195-km open marathon and a 21-km half marathon, with competitions for both men and women, said the Directorate.

Directorate informed that NA’s Sergeant Khadga Bahadur Khadka finished second in the full marathon.

Similarly, in the half marathon, Army’s Corporal Gajindra Rai claimed first place in the men’s category by completing the race in 1 hour 4 minutes and 45 seconds.

In the women’s category, Santoshi Shrestha emerged victorious, finishing in 1 hour 14 minutes and 31 seconds, said the Directorate.

Held under the slogan ‘Strong Unity, Secured Nation’, the sport competition also included 10-km race for male and female students, army officers and military attache’ , as well as 5-km race for basic-level school students and a 5-km walkathon.

On the occasion, CoAS Ashok Raj Sigdel awarded the winners and handed over certificates to them.

Additionally, Former Chief of Army Staff, Chairperson of Nepali Army Wives Association, Chief of General Staffs, secretaries of the government of Nepal and representatives of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City joined the award distribution ceremony.