Ganesh Rai/Nepalgunj

Mangale from Nepalgunj has created history on the world marathon stage by becoming the only Nepali runner to be officially listed in the World Marathon Majors (WMM) Age Group World Rankings.

By completing the 42.195 km distance in 3 hours 6 minutes and 59 seconds at the Nepalgunj Marathon, Mangal earned a place in the global rankings, marking a historic achievement for Nepal. He was born on July 11, 1968 (Asar 27, 2025 BS).

The World Marathon Majors platform connects the world’s top marathon races and ranks athletes by age group on a global scale. It evaluates marathon results and performances of elite and age-group runners worldwide, providing recognition and awards accordingly.

In the 65–69 age group, Mangal is the only runner from Nepal to be listed and currently holds world ranking 2,678. He is a resident of Ward No. 12, Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City. Expressing happiness over this achievement, Ward No. 12 Chairman Tarun Bajracharya said that Mangal’s success is not only a matter of pride for the ward but for the entire city.
He stated, “Achieving such a result at this age is remarkable. It contributes to the development of running culture, promotes a healthy society, and helps establish Nepalgunj on the international stage.”

Similarly, Ashok Kumar Chapagain recorded a time of 3:23:21 at the Chicago Marathon, placing 1,603rd in the world in the 60–64 age group.

At the Nepalgunj Marathon, Ramesh Shakya completed the race in 3:45:12, earning 6,004th place globally in the 55–59 age group, while Dev Kumar Kuwar clocked 3:39:59 at the Abu Dhabi Marathon, ranking 1,583rd.

In the 50–54 age group, Nepali runners including Pandav Mahato, Pradeep Manandhar, Yubaraj Khanal, Bharat Kumar Shrestha, Tika Bahadur Hamal, and Rajesh Shrestha have earned global rankings through performances at marathons such as New York City, Abu Dhabi, and Nepalgunj. Bharat is originally from Banke district.

In the 45–49 age group, runners such as Sushil Kumar Shrestha, Kumar Prasad Adhikari, Shyam Chalise, Surya Gurung, Yambar Shrestha, Sandesh Kumar Shrestha, Prem Giri, Kumar Bikram Regmi, and others have represented Nepal in the global rankings through performances at major international marathons including New York City, Chicago, Valencia, Abu Dhabi, and Thailand’s Bangsaen Chonburi Marathon.
Among them, Kumar Regmi is currently serving in Thailand as a Nepali Embassy staff member.

In the 40–44 age group, Nepali runners such as Mufahizbin Mohammad, Santosh Rai, Baldev Kuwar, Tapesh Joshi, Prakash Prasai, Lalit Shahi, Madhav Budhathoki, Vikal Gurung, Birendra Gurung, and Krishna Kumar Mahajanare listed in the global rankings.
Mufahizbin Mohammad achieved his ranking through the Kuala Lumpur Marathon, while others earned recognition at marathons in Valencia, Chicago, Philadelphia, California International, Abu Dhabi, and New York City.

Additional runners including Niraj Lavaju, Lalit Pandey, Amod Prasad Acharya, Meghraj Lamal, Purnabahadur Oli, and Rabi Kumar Rai have also secured world rankings through international marathons such as Chengdu International, New York City, Abu Dhabi, and Gold Coast Marathon.

In the women’s category (50–54 age group), Punam Rai and Indira Chapagain have been listed. Punam achieved a time of 3:54:31 at the New York City Marathon, securing a top Nepali position and 2,146th place worldwide, while Indira recorded 3:43:29 at the Chicago Marathon, ranking 8,364th globally.

In the 45–49 women’s age group, Sworupa Khadka and Sagun Adhikari are ranked. Sworupa placed 354th worldwide with a 3:11:09 finish at the New York City Marathon, while Sagun ranked 1,847th with a 4:28:51 time at the Chicago Marathon.

So far, in the history of World Athletics rankings, Santosh Shrestha remains the only Nepali athlete officially listed.

Photo: Ganesh Rai