Higher Ground Nepal to host International Women’s Month 5K Fun Run on Mar 21

KATHMANDU: Higher Ground Nepal is set to hold its annual International Women’s Month 5K Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, March 21. The event will start from Jawalakhel Football Ground in Lalitpur at 7:00 am.

Organisers expect more than 2,000 participants to take part in the event, which aims to promote women’s empowerment, inclusion and gender equality.

The Fun Run is intended to raise awareness about dismantling structural barriers and challenging social norms that hinder gender equality, while encouraging community solidarity for the rights and dignity of women and girls. The five-kilometre route has been designed to be inclusive and accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

The flat, motorable course will pass through key Lalitpur locations, including Bhanimandal, Higher Ground Bakery, Thadodhunga, Sanepa Kharibot, The Workshop Eatery, Arun Thapa Chowk, Herman’s Bakery, Pump Fitness, and the premises of St Mary’s and St Xavier’s schools, before finishing at Jawalakhel Football Ground near the Central Zoo. In a press release, Higher Ground Nepal said the route is suitable for families, pushchairs and wheelchair users.

Meanwhile, a special Wheelchair Run will be led by the Jawalakhel Wheelchair Sports Club and the Nirmala Foundation, with participation from white-cane users of Blind Rocks, underscoring the event’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion.

Since its inception in 2015, the Higher Ground Fun Run has drawn more than 10,000 participants and raised funds for community initiatives. Proceeds from this year’s event will support the Nepal Cancer Support Group, scholarships for children in Dukuchap, financial literacy and business training, and local grassroots women’s organisations in Lalitpur.

On the day, the programme will open with a Titan Zumba Fitness warm-up, followed by the run. After the race, Blind Rocks will perform a musical set. Attendees can visit stalls featuring women entrepreneurs and community partners, while children will have access to a play area and face painting.

Registration costs Rs 500 and includes an event T-shirt and a finisher’s medal. Awards will be given in the Men’s, Women’s, Under-18 and Wheelchair categories. Participants can register via the eSewa app under ‘Voting & Events’ by selecting Fun Run 2026, or online.

The event is supported by Man Bahadur Shrestha Memorial Foundation, Kaiyi Nepal, Nepal on the Web, Feather Webs, Godrej Fab Liquid Detergent, The Workshop Eatery, Change Action Nepal and Ethico Retreat.

Higher Ground Nepal, founded in 2006, is a social enterprise focused on empowering children, youth and women vulnerable to exploitation and gender discrimination through education, counselling and socio-economic support.