The organizing committee presented world record holder Lizzy and Phu Dorjee at a press conference in the capital on Wednesday and informed that 90 ultra runners, including 60 Nepali and 30 foreigners, have already registered for the event to be held on January 1.[break]
"I´ll run to the best of my capacity. I´m excited to be here, participating itself is a privilege," said Lizzy, who has a record for running from the Everest Base Camp to Kathmandu in 3 days, 2 hrs and 7 mins.
The Annapurna 100, the first international event of Nepal Tourism Year 2011, features 100 km, 70 km and 50 km races, which will begin from Pokhara and cover Hyangja, Dhampus, Pitam Deurali and Ghandruk. The 50 km runners have to pass through Ghandruk and end the race at Birethanti. 70 km and 100 km runners, on the other hand, will turn from Tadapani to Birethanti, where 70 km runners will end their race, but 100 km runners will continue ahead to finally conclude at the starting line.
Ex-Gurkha Ramesh Bhattachan and Roger Henke, the director of Summit Hotel in Lalitpur, will coordinate the event. Only Nepali ultra runners can run for the prize money.
Winner of men´s 100 km will get Rs 50,000 while winners of 70 km and 50 km races will receive Rs 35,000 and Rs 25,000, respectively. The top five ultra runners will also receive cash prizes. Meanwhile, winner of women´s 100 km will get Rs 20,000 while winners of 70 km and 50 km will receive Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000, respectively.
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