GANGTOK : The organising committee of  Kanchenjunga Marathon has announced to encourage and train local youths for the upcoming national and international level high altitude marathons. The committee has also decided to organise the third edition of Kanchenjunga Marathon next year in grander manner and to add up other adventurous activities in the State.

It may be mentioned here that the committee has organised the second edition of Kanchenjunga Marathon 2017 on November 6 from Goechala to Yuksom on Dzongri trekking trial in West Sikkim. Altogether 56 runners from age group from 18 to 64 years from Sikkim and from different parts of India and abroad took part in the Marathon and organisers presented a total cash prize of Rs 4.96 lakhs in different categories.

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The organising committee chairperson, Sarala Rai, Sikkim Housing and Development Board Secretary, stated the committee has decided to organise the Kanchenjunga Marathon in a grand manner on same date next year. She said due to the increasing popularity of the marathon the queries have been coming from different parts of India and outside. The registration for next edition of the marathon has started on Friday and will remain open till one month before the event.

Ms Rai said, “We have decided to organise an event in February next year for local runners of Sikkim and we will select the best 20 runners from the event to train them further and will send them to national and international high altitude marathons.”

The organising committee technical director Kunzang Gyatso announced to organise an event ‘Climb & Run the Kanchenjunga’ in November next year. He stated that the event was a unique opportunity to experience trekking, climbing peak and to run on the high altitude in Sikkim. He stated that the committee would continue with such activities to further promote Sikkim in adventure activities.

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He said, “Inspired by Kanchenjunga Marathon, local children and youths of Yuksom have been running daily and practicing for the next edition of the event. The event has been successful in leading the youths on the productive and healthy path.”

The organisers have also selected the winner of women’s category of 2nd Kanchenjunga Marathon, Chandra Kala Sharma to send her for popular Everest Marathon to be held in May next year in Nepal. Eighteen year old  Chandra Kala hails from Tumin Dhanbari in East Sikkim and has been participating in marathons since last four years. She already won medals in various marathons in and outside the State.