TAAN International Eco-challenge on Aug 17

Realizing the need for an international standard sporting event in the country, Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) is organizing TAAN International Eco-Challenge 2013 on August 17.
The Eco-challenge is a team event which comprises three sporting events — running, cycling and rafting. Interested participants will need to form a group of five persons including a team manager who will not participate in the sporting events. All four participants will first run on the 6.5-kilometer track from Tokha to Pani Muhan and cycle on the 14.5-track in the Nagarjun Shivapuri National Park. After completing cycling at Sundarijal, the participants will raft on 7.5-kilometer segment of Bagmati River until Gokarna – the finishing point of the event. However, teams can start rafting only all members of the group complete cycling.
Mohan Lamsal, general secretary of TAAN, said the winning team will receive a shield, gold medals, certificates and cash prize of Rs 100,000. “Similarly, the first runner-up will receive silver medals, certificates and cash prize of Rs 75,000, while the second runner-up will receive bronze medals, certificates and a purse of Rs 50,000,” he said. “The event is being organized to promote Nepal as a destination for alls easons.”
According to Saroj Neupane, coordinator of the event, anyone above the age of 18 can participate in the event by paying registration fee of Rs 2,500 (for local team) and US$ 100 (for foreign team).
Mahendra Singh Thapa, president of TAAN, said TAAN aims to develop the event as one of the popular adventure sporting events in the country. “We have equipment and resources to accommodate around 30 teams,” he added.
TAAN has already sent invitation to teams from Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, among others.
On the occasion, Sushil Narsingh Rana, Ranjan Rajbhandari and Nanikaji Thapa informed media persons about technicalities of running, cycling and rafting, respectively.