Kathmandu— The third edition of the Red Panda Marathon will be held on September 5th in Salleri, Solukhumbu district, Nepal. Organized by the Red Panda Network with support from Play for Nature, the event seeks to conserve endangered red pandas and their habitat while also establishing the Lower Everest region as a key international adventure tourism destination. This year’s marathon includes both a challenging 48-kilometer trail race and a new 5-kilometer ‘Red Panda Fun Run,’ encouraging participation from local communities and experienced runners alike.

Marathon Route and Challenge

The 48-km Red Panda Marathon will begin at Thekchhen Pema Chholing Monastery in Salleri, which sits at an altitude of 2,360 metres. Runners will ascend to Pike Peak, reaching 4,054 metres, before returning to the starting point. Organizers note that the course boasts a significant elevation gain of over 2,872 metres and has been awarded three points by the International Trail Running Association, indicating its difficulty even for seasoned trail runners. Participants must complete the race within 7.30 hours.

New Fun Run and Community Involvement

This year’s event introduces a 5-km ‘Red Panda Fun Run,’ designed to be accessible to participants of all ages and abilities. The fun run will start at Thekchhen Pema Choling Monastery, pass through Serga Khop in Salleri, and finish at Phaplu Monastery. Ngima Tendup Sherpa, Chairperson of Himalayan Health and Environmental Services Solukhumbu, explained that the fun run was created to encourage greater involvement from local communities. Renowned actor and Red Panda Network conservation ambassador Dayahang Rai is also expected to participate.

Prizes and Past Participation

Cash prizes, medals, and certificates will be awarded to top finishers in both races. The 48-km marathon offers Rs. 150,000 for first place, decreasing to Rs. 30,000 for fourth. Top runners in the Forest Guardian category can win up to Rs. 25,000, and Fun Run winners will receive prizes ranging from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 25,000. All race completers will receive a finisher’s medal. Previous editions of the marathon were held in Taplejung (2024) and Ilam (2025), attracting a total of 140 runners from Nepal, India, and Japan.

Conservation Focus

Organizers emphasize the importance of raising awareness about red panda conservation through this event. Sherpa highlighted that forests hold many unseen natural treasures, with the red panda being a prime example. He believes events like the marathon help people connect with their local natural heritage and understand the shared responsibility of protecting it for future generations.

Interested runners can register for both races through the Red Panda Network’s official website, with organizers hoping to build on the success of previous editions and further promote conservation efforts in the region.

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.