Nepal Loses Bid to Host 25th World Congress of Marathons

Nepal lost the hosting right of the 25th World Congress of Association of Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) to Norway by a slim margin during a bid held in Hanoi, Vietnam on Saturday.
According to the state-owned news agency RSS, Norway secured 85 votes against 67 of Nepal during the 24th World Congress of the Association of the Organizers of Long-Distance Road Running Races in Hanoi. As a result, the World Congress of AIMS will now be held in Norway in 2026.
TS Thakuri, the founding president of Nepalgunj Marathon, said Nepal's effort to lobby within the international community failed short this time and thus emphasized the need for strong advocacy and lobbying for such events.
Thakuri, however, proudly shared that Nepal's claim on the global marathon stage remained impressive.