A Nepali sports person, whose name was featured in the Guinness Book of World Records, for clocking the fastest run at the highest altitude, only learned about it eight years after setting the record.

A news report published in The Kathmandu Post said the long distance runner, Hari Bahadur Rokaya was stunned when he found his name in the golden jubilee edition of the Guinness Book four months ago.

Published in 2005, the Golden Jubilee year of Guinness Book of World Records states that the Jumla district-based marathoner set a world record timing of 3hr. 16min. 3sec. in the Everest Marathon in 1999. The race began from Gorak Shep at an altitude of 17,100 ft and concluded at Namche Bazar at 11,300 ft. The report further said an assistant athletics coach at local Jumla Bazar, Hari won the Everest Marathon three consecutive times in 1997, 1999 and 2001.

Far from the media glare, Hari was not even aware that his effort was recognized by the prestigious Guinness Book, though he knew that it was a record of sorts. The biennial event was organized by Highland Sherpa and Buffer Venture England in association with the locals of Namche Bazar. Four months ago, a Jumla-based army colonel gifted him a copy of the Guinness Book Golden Jubilee edition.

"I was amazed that it was the Guinness Book of World Records and that my name was in it," he said. "I was totally dumbfounded and kept the book with me," the simple-living former South Asian Games bronze medalist, said. He photocopied the book talked about his landmark feat with the Chief District Officer of Jumla, Pradeep Koirala. "

He is very positive and vowed to help me get recognition from the government," Hari said. Hari's joy knows no bounds but he does not have a valid certificate and he also does not know the procedure for acquiring one. He continued by saying, "I have heard that they (Guinness Book people) offer cash to record holders but I don't need it, I simply want recognition from them as well as from my country."

Hari, who was promoted to coach this year by the National Sports Council.