Alongmen Ward (15) emerged as the champion of the 52nd Inter-Ward Christmas Cake Race 2025, clocking a time of 12:45:84, followed by Dilong Ward (01) in second place with 12:53:67 and Sungkomen Ward (11) in third at 13:01:60.  Lijaba Lijen Ward (04) finished fourth, having secured second place in the previous edition.

The race, covered a distance of approximately 4 kilometres and 980 metres, which witnessed participation from all 18 wards of Mokokchung town on December 24, 2025.

The programme was graced by Senior Superintendent of Police, Mokokchung, Vesupra Kezo, NPS, as the Guest of Honour. Greetings were delivered by the Guest of Honour, after which he officially flagged off the race.

Organised as part of the town’s annual Christmas celebrations, the traditional relay race was conducted by the Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC) with the support of ward councillors, respective ward councils, youth associations and others. Alongmen Ward, which had also secured the top position in the previous edition, retained its title this year, leading from the very first start. In the last edition, Lijaba

Lijen Ward had finished second, while Dilong Ward placed third. Each ward fielded a team of 11 runners comprising two women and nine men, following the traditional format, with the first and second runners being female competitors.

The competition was exclusively open to legitimate residents of the wards under Mokokchung Municipality. Participant lists were submitted and verified by the respective ward authorities, while chest numbers were allotted through a draw of lots. Mokokchung citizens, parents, ward members and well-wishers turned up in large numbers to support their respective wards, coming together in a warm atmosphere, as the Mokokchung Christmas celebration feels incomplete without the traditional Inter-Ward Christmas Cake Race.

Certificates and cash amounts along with Christmas cakes were awarded to the teams securing first, second and third positions, while cakes were also distributed to all participating teams as consolation prizes. The Christmas Cake Race and the gifting of Christmas cakes continue to remain a long-standing community tradition in Mokokchung on this day.

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Imkongmar, MLA and Advisor, Department of Sericulture & Minority Affairs, Government of Nagaland, donated a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh for the event. The prize money was categorised with Rs

30,000 for the first position, Rs 20,000 for the second position and Rs 10,000 for the third position, while the remaining participating wards received a cash prize of Rs 2,500 each.

In addition to the cash prizes, the first prize cake was gifted by Classic Bakery, the second prize by Popular Bakery and the third prize by New Bakery. Another five cakes, weighing three pounds each, were also donated by the Bakery Union, while the remaining cakes were purchased by the organisers.

Md Mustafa, owner of New Bakery, informed NTN that New Bakery gifted the third prize cake this year, weighing eight pounds. He said the cake usually ranges between eight to ten pounds.

The organizers informed that also stated that the second prize was gifted by Popular Bakery, while the first prize was donated by Classic Bakery. Md Mustafa added that New Bakery, established in 1962, is the oldest bakery in Mokokchung town.

He further mentioned that New Bakery had donated the first prize cake during the 1980s as part of a long-standing tradition, which has since evolved with the establishment of more bakeries in the town like Popular Bakery, Classic Bakery which are donating the cakes on this occasion.

All citizens of Mokokchung, including the organising committee members, officials and those present to witness the race, were offered tea free of cost by the tea sellers, a gesture they usually extend every year as part of the celebration.

Meanwhile, the results of the Best Maintained Ward Award 2025 were also announced. Salangtem

Ward securing the first position, followed by Salangtem Ward in second place, while Kumlong Ward finished third. The Most Improved Ward Award 2024 was bagged by Tongdentsuyong Ward. In the Best

Sanitation Workers category under the Mokokchung Municipal Council, Yaolai (Male), Lemdongtula

(Female) and Pehe Shiu (Driver) were awarded for their dedicated service.

Earlier during the formal program, the event commenced with an invocation by Imtiwapang, Associate

Pastor (Youth), Artang Baptist Arogo. This was followed by a special musical presentation by Note Grid School of Music. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by mkumniba Kichu,

Councillor, MMC, and a benediction pronounced by Akumwapang Longchar, Youth Promoter, Alempang Baptist Church.

Officials of the Mokokchung Athletics Association (MAA) officiated the 52nd Inter-Ward Christmas Cake Race 2025.