Kathmandu: Panc Bike, which introduced Nepal’s first bicycle trade 100 years ago, has honored legendary marathon runner Baikuntha Manandhar as its goodwill ambassador during its centennial celebrations in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

According to Tek Manandhar, the proprietor of Pank Bike, the company has manufactured 100 special bicycles in Baikuntha Manandhar’s name to celebrate their centenary.

“We have created a limited-edition bicycle inscribed with his record time of 2 hours 15 minutes and 03 seconds,” said Tek. “All earnings from sale of these limited-edition bicycles will be given to Baikuntha Manandhar.”

Sunita Dangol, the deputy mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, unveiled the bicycle at the event and handed over one to runner Manandhar.

Manandhar had set the record of 2 hours 15 minutes and 3 seconds at the 1987 South Asian Games (SAG) which still remains unbeaten in the South Asia region.

After being feted, Manandhar said that he will use the funds from these bicycles for his own institution and work to nurture the next Baikuntha Manandhar.”

The bicycle business began in 1925 when Astha Narayan Manandhar opened Panch Narayan Ashtha Narayan Cycle Shop in Asan, Kamalakshi. The fourth generation of the Manandhar family continues to expand this legacy.

During the same event sports journalist Ramesh Subedi won a bicycle in a lucky draw. Deputy Mayor Dangol and Baikuntha Manandhar jointly presented the bicycle to him.