The Guwan Hamuda Papedi Sawariya 2018 was flagged off by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy this morning in front of Air Force Headquarters. Conducted for the 19th consecutive year the race is conducted to mark the 67th anniversary of the SLAF.

The Men's race that commenced this morning will end its first lap at Puttalum today, covering a distance of 124.9km. Approximately 170 riders started the race this morning.

Sajith Hasantha of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority won the 1st leg of Guwan Hamuda Papedi Sawariya 2018 while Supun Kumara of the Sri Lanka Army and Sudeera Nilanga of Sri Lanka Police finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.