Armyman Yam Bahadur Pudasaini revived his chance to better his performance and clinch a medal in the up-coming South Asian Games (SAG) in Colombo, Sri Lanka after winning the men’s half marathon with a timing of 1:15.41 in the Club Himalayan Uphill Challenge-2006 on Saturday.

Pudasaini also bettered last year’s record of 1:18.13 set by Arjun Prasad Dhakal of the Armed Police Force Officers Club (APF). Dhakal fininsed second with a time of 1:15.54. Arjun Kumar Basnet of Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) finished third with 1:16.52.

Finishing the race in 1:40.27, Niramla Bharati of Nepal Police claimed the women’s half marathon championship, ahead of Krishneswori Sintakala of the APF who finished the race in 1:47.11, Hari Devi Rajlawat finished third with a time of 1:52.37.

In the other category, Gagan Singh Budaier of the APF claimed the men’s 10-km race in 39 minutes and 05.80 seconds, ahead of Prem Bahadur Mahat of the TAC (40 minutes, 20.60 sec). Lok Bahadur Rokaya of APF finished third. Kanchi Maya Koju of Nepal Police won the women’s 10-km race. She completed the course in 48 minutes and 16.10 seconds. Bishnu Kafle and Chhaya Khatri, both also of Nepal Police, came second and third respectively.

A total of 125 athletes including 15 women from Nepal, Japan, England and the US participated in the uphill challenge. The top three athletes from men and women’s half marathon was awarded Rs 10,000, Rs 7,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively while the winners in the men’s and women’s 10-km race won a cash prize of Rs 5,000, Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000 respectively.

The half marathon began from Bhaktapur Durbar Square and the 10-km race from Telkot Bhanjyang. Both the races ended at the premises of Club Himalaya. The championship was jointly organised by Nepal Athletics Association and Club Himalaya, Nagarkot.