Samir and Chetana Crowned Champions at Kohalpur Mile

Dragon Media News Desk

Samir Basnet and Chetana Basnet emerged as champions in the one-mile, or 1.6-kilometre, race organised in Kohalpur, Banke, on Saturday as part of the AIMS One Global Mile initiative.

In the schoolboys’ category of the first internationally affiliated running event held in Kohalpur, Samir Basnet secured first place. Sugam Chaudhary finished second, Karan Sikarmi third and Sandesh Budhathoki fourth.

In the schoolgirls’ category, Chetana Basnet claimed the top position, followed by Salina Tharu in second place, Niyukti Gurung in third and Angel Sunar in fourth.

The race began at the Kohalpur Open Ground, continued to the entrance of Nepalgunj Medical College and returned along the same route to finish at the starting venue.

In the girls’ category of the Kids Run for participants aged eight to 12, Manvi Chaudhary finished first, Bipana Budha second, Nabina Thapa third and Grishma Shahi fourth.

In the boys’ category for the same age group, Milan Kaila, Abdullah Khan, Amrit BK and Dinesh Kaila secured the first four positions, respectively.

The first-, second-, third- and fourth-place finishers in each category received cash prizes of Rs 4,000, Rs 3,000, Rs 2,000 and Rs 1,000, respectively, along with trophies.

Organisers said around 250 runners participated in the event. Every participant received a medal and certificate. Kohalpur Municipality Mayor Purna Prasad Acharya presented the prizes to the winners.

According to the organisers, One Global Mile is an expanded international initiative inspired by the Hudson Mile in New York, United States.

Under the slogan “One Day, One Mile, One World,” the event was held simultaneously in different cities across 11 countries on July 11 to promote a culture of running.

The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races, known as AIMS, has been promoting the One Global Mile campaign worldwide. The one-mile race is regarded as an accessible entry point for participants interested in progressing towards long-distance running and marathon events.

While the initiative was held in only one city in most participating countries, Nepal hosted events in two cities—Kohalpur and Kathmandu.

Mayor Acharya Completes One-Mile Race

Kohalpur Mayor Purna Prasad Acharya also completed the one-mile course to encourage the participating school students.

He was joined by Dhara Nepalgunj Marathon founder TS Thakuri, Banke District Cycling Association President Gagan Thapa and several other participants.

Speaking at the prize-distribution ceremony, Mayor Acharya expressed gratitude to One Global Mile for bringing the international running initiative to Kohalpur.

He pledged that the municipality would include the event in its annual calendar and provide priority support to expand it in the coming years.

Race Director Chandra Bahadur Gurung thanked the Banke District Administration Office, Nepal Police and Traffic Police for their support in maintaining security and managing traffic during the event.

Kathmandu Mile Also Concludes

The Kathmandu Mile, organised under the AIMS One Global Mile initiative, was also completed on Saturday.

The race began at Narayan Chaur in Naxal, continued to Durbar Marg and returned to Narayan Chaur. All participants received medals and certificates.

Kathmandu Mile Director Kapil Thapa said the one-mile event would encourage participants to become involved in longer-distance running.

As part of the global initiative, participants received certificates signed by AIMS President Paco Borao and One Global Mile founder John Boka, he said.

Thapa added that the participation recorded in the first edition had encouraged the organisers to hold the Kathmandu Mile on a larger scale next year.

Programme coordinator Mamata Thapa said a significant number of people in Kathmandu had shown interest in and understood the importance of the One Global Mile initiative. She expressed confidence that the event would attract broader participation in future editions.