Another year of success for Kalimpong Half Marathon

PRASHANT ACHARYA, EOI, Siliguri 2 May 2016: The Run with Roshni Foundation today held the Kalimpong Half Marathon 2016, the aim of which was to eliminate the identity crisis faced by Nepali speaking Indians.

The annual run was flagged off at 7am from Pedong by GTA member Dawa Lepcha and Sarita Rai, the GJM candidate who has contested from Kalimpong in the state Assembly election. The run ended at the Mela Ground in Kalimpong town.

Of the 100 runners registered, 94 turned up in the starting line, while 12 runners participated without registering their names. As many as 96 participants completed the half marathon within the cut off time of three hours.

Among the male runners, Ajay Chhetri clocked 1hr 13mins and 35secs to stand first, while Rupen Chhettri finished second with a timing of 1hr 15mins 30sec. Meanwhile, Praveen Chhetri came third with 1hr 17mins 9sec. All the three are from the 2 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and are currently posted in 17th Mile, Algarah.

In the female category, Dichen Sherpa from Pagang Gumpa School, Algarah came first with a timing of 1hr 52mins 4 secs, Anjana Acharya came second by clocking 1hr 54mins 33secs, while Babita Acharya finished third with 1hr 55mins 19secs. Anjana and Babita are siblings and students of Gangotri School.

This is the second year the Run with Roshni Foundation has organised the Kalimpong Half Marathon to select the best six runners (three boys and three girls) from Darjeeling district. They will run the famed Mumbai Marathon that is held in January every year.

Roshni Rai, the founder, said, "We are organising marathons to eliminate the identity crisis faced by Nepali speaking Indians in their own motherland and to bring awareness among other countrymen about us and the various difficulties we have to face in our own country." (Photo courtesy: Facebook)