The Bhutanese runners are still leading as the third day of the snowman race comes to an end. All top three runners are still the same as yesterday with a slight change in their position. Gawa Zangpo dominated the entire race course today with a difference of over an hour between him and the racer in second. Meanwhile, three more international runners have decided not to complete the race.
Gawa Zangpo reached Geche Wom station from Lhedi in 8 hours and 17 minutes covering a distance of 47 kilometres.
Sangay Wangchuk, who came first yesterday, took 9 hours and 58 minutes today. And Sangay came in third yet again and reached the station in 10 hours and 48 minutes.
The runners will look to cover the shortest route from Geche Wom to Juli Tsho which is 28 kilometres tomorrow. They will start off at 6 AM.
Meanwhile, in Bumthang, preparations for the closing event of the race on Monday are in full swing. An 11-hour event starting at 9:30 in the morning is being planned for the day. A rehearsal was conducted this afternoon. An exhibition of Bumthang’s textiles and handicrafts will also be held alongside footstalls displaying local dishes of Bumthang.
“We have also distributed free lottery tickets to attract spectators for the closing event. People will be able to win cash prizes, utensils, garments, and furniture among others along with various cultural programmes,” said Bumthang Dzongrab Tandin Dorji.
Two doctors from Wangduechholing Hospital have been deployed at the Wangdue Phodrang-Bumthang border. At Chamkhar, the runners will be rested for 30 minutes upon reaching the finishing point before being escorted to their hotels. The prize-awarding ceremony will be held the next day.
Tshering Dendup/Kipchu
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
