Triumphant Finale: Melo Tea Fest Concludes with Darjeeling Hill Marathon Victory by Kenyan Athlete
Darjeeling Melo Tea Fest Wraps Up with Successful Marathon Event
Darjeeling, December 23, 2024: The Darjeeling Melo Tea Fest concluded with the 11th annual Darjeeling Hill Marathon, attracting approximately 3,500 participants globally. This year’s marathon, which took place on a scenic yet challenging route starting and finishing at the historic Chowrasta, drew athletes from countries including Kenya, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, as well as local competitors.
The event featured several race categories, with the 21K Open Run being the most competitive. Kenyan athlete Kenneth Kimanthi Kinithinji and Bihar’s Anjali Kumari emerged as the winners in this category. Additionally, in the age group 35-44, Daniel Cheriyot and Genet Shikur Rashid claimed victory, while local runners Dharma Maharjan and Saraswati Rai won the above-44 segment.
The 10K Open Run saw triumph for Puran Rai from Kalimpong and Anjuli Subba from Sikkim. In the 10K Police Open, Vithal Wadje from Gorubathan and Puja Mondal from Kolkata took the top spots in their respective categories. Participants praised the course’s natural beauty and local support, with Santoshi Shrestha from Nepal commenting on the invigorating challenge it presented.
Running alongside the athletic events, the festival celebrated Darjeeling’s rich heritage from December 19 to 23, featuring tea-tasting sessions and cultural performances. Superintendent of Police Praween Prakash expressed delight in the festival’s growing popularity, emphasizing its potential to become an internationally recognized event.
The festival concluded with musical performances, including local bands ‘Yellow Hammer’ and ‘Reincarnation’, culminating in an electrifying show by ‘Girish and The Chronicles’. Organizers hope the festival will draw more tourists in future editions, thereby boosting the local economy.
Original Source: https://www.sikkimexpress.com/news-details/melo-tea-fest-concludes-with-darjeeling-hill-marathon-kenyan-athlete-wins-21k-open-run
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