This year Mandalay Company, based in Brecon, decided to resurrect the Gurkha Khud Race . It was run over the Pen-y-fan area in Brecon Beacons on 20th July 2019.
Photographer: Mr Ian Griffiths, Army Photographer, Infantry Battle School
The history of Gurkha Khud Race dates from 1800 AD. You can read the full history at www.gurkhakhudracebrecon.com The event was organised in Pen-y-fan Brecon Beacons.
To reinstate the old traditional Gurkha Khud Race dated back to 1890s with the aims to make it an Inter-unit competition including other arms and services as well civilians. The Race was extremely popular in Hong Kong within Gurkha Brigade, wider Army units and as well as in the local population.
The race was held on 20th July 2019 in Brecon Beacons National Park. Starting from Story Arms going all the way up to the Pen y Fan and descending to the other side of the Story arms. The total distance of the route was 6km
Race categories and prizes:
Route: Starting from Storey Arms to Pen y Fan via Corn Du and back to Pont ar Daf car park.
Winner: Sapper Himal Limbu (Gurkha Wing Mandalay) 37 minutes and 56 seconds.
First Runner up: Private Prem Thapa (Gurkha Wing Mandalay) 38 minutes and 53 seconds.
Second Runner up: Sapper Bijendra Gurung (Queen’s Gurkha Engineers) 40 minutes and one second.
Route: Starting from Storey Arms to Pen y Fan via Corn Du and back to Pont ar Daf car park.
Winner: Miss Claire 44 minutes and 15 seconds.
Runner up: Ms Anne Marie Harris 56 minutes and 55 seconds.
Route: Starting from Storey Arms to Pen y Fan via Corn Du and back to Pont ar Daf car park.
Winners: Infantry Brecon School B Team with score of (Gurkha Wing Mandalay)
Lance Corporal Ritesh 42 minutes and 50 seconds
Private Prem Thapa 38 minutes and 53 seconds
Sapper Himal Limbu 37 minutes and 56 seconds
Rifleman Sagar Rai 40 minutes and 17 seconds
Runners up: Infantry Training Centre Gurkha Company Catterick
Corporal Bel Gurung 45 minutes exactly
Corporal Dhan Tamang 44 minutes and 36 seconds
Corporal Netra Rana 44 minutes and 16 seconds
Rifleman Pradip Gurung 41 minutes and 33 seconds
Route: a short version of Khud Race.
Winner: Saket Limbu
First Runner up: Sakhcham Limbu
Second Runner up: Bijes Gurung
Route: slightly longer than Youth One.
Prizes: First, Second and Third
Winner: Aagman Limbu
There is an aspiration for an open category at future events.
The nature of race was challenging but short so we were able to include families race categories which generated a more family friendly event and attract more interest. The day offered an excellent opportunity for community engagement as we implemented cultural displays and stands, to highlight to the local community some of the Gurkha and Nepalese traditions including Gurkha curry.
By Captain Padam Gurung, Support Platoon Commander, Gurkha Wing Mandalay
