Nepal is truly a paradise for trail running, with its breathtaking mountains, rugged trails, and diverse terrain offering the perfect playground for endurance athletes. Over the years, the country has nurtured and produced some of the most renowned trail runners in the world, who have gained international recognition for their skill, stamina, and connection to the Himalayan landscapes.
Female Athlete
Mira Rai: Mira Rai is Nepal’s most celebrated trail runner. Growing up in the hills of Bhojpur, she used trails as part of her daily life before discovering competitive running. Her breakthrough came in 2014–15, with wins at international races in Hong Kong and Europe. In 2027 she also win the National Geography adventure of the year award.
Sunmaya Budha: Sunmaya Budha is one of Nepal’s most promising young female trail runners. From the remote Jumla district, she rose quickly through Nepal’s trail racing scene and has since made her mark internationally. She has earned podium finishes at UTMB races such as the CCC and has been a consistent top competitor in Asia.
Rashila Tamang: Rashila Tamang is a fast-rising female ultra runner who has recently claimed international recognition. In 2023, she won an Asia Trail Master race in Indonesia, marking a major milestone for her career. With her strength on technical trails and determination to compete abroad, she is seen as one of the brightest young athletes to watch. She is also entrepreneur of trail running and a social activist on environment. She strongly advocates that planting a tree can save the mother earth.
Anita Rai: An emerging female runner from eastern Nepal, Anita Rai has gained attention through standout results in domestic ultras like the Fishtail 50 and Manaslu Trail Race. She has also competed in UTMB-series events, showing that she has the potential to become one of Nepal’s next international stars. Anita represents the growing wave of women athletes inspired by Mira Rai.
Priya Rai: is an emerging trail runner from Nepal who has gained recognition for her strength and determination on the hills. She has competed in several local and national trail races, steadily building her reputation as one of the promising young athletes in Nepal’s growing trail running community. Known for her endurance and running spirit, Priya represents the new generation of Nepali runners inspired by the country’s rich mountain landscapes and rising trail culture.
Male Athlete
Bhim Bahadur Gurung (Bhim Gurung):Bhim Gurung is one of Nepal’s top male skyrunners, renowned for his speed and technical downhill skills. He made headlines with victories in Skyrunning World Series races, including a record-setting run at the 2016 Tromsø Skyrace in Norway. In Nepal, he has dominated major events such as the Annapurna 100 and The North Face Kathmandu Ultra. His performances have cemented him as a benchmark for Nepali men in international trail running.
Dawa Dachhiri Sherpa: A veteran endurance athlete, Dawa Dachhiri Sherpa has represented Nepal in both ultrarunning and cross-country skiing, even competing in three Winter Olympics. He is a long-time UTMB competitor, with many strong finishes in the TDS and other European ultras. Known for his humility and longevity in the sport, Dawa has paved the way for younger generations of Nepali runners by showing that mountain athletes from Nepal can compete globally.
Suman Kulung: Suman Kulung, from Gudel in Solukhumbu, is one of Nepal’s strongest trail runners. Growing up in the Everest region, he worked as a porter and guide before turning to competitive running, which gave him the endurance and resilience to excel on mountain trails. He first made headlines by winning the Royal Penguin Ultra Marathon in 2016, and has since dominated the Everest Trail Race by TUGA, taking multiple overall victories (2017, 2019, 2023, 2024). Supported by international foundations, Suman has also trained and raced in Europe, steadily building his reputation abroad. His story — from carrying loads as a porter to winning international ultras — embodies the raw mountain spirit of Nepal’s trail running scene.
Sangé Sherpa: Originally from Solukhumbu, Sange Sherpa is a seasoned ultra runner who has lived and raced extensively in Europe. He has completed and placed highly in some of the toughest trail races, including UTMB-series events and 100-mile ultras across the Alps and Pyrenees. Balancing work and running, Sangé has become a respected ambassador of Nepali endurance talent abroad.
Tirtha Tamang:Tirtha Tamang is among Nepal’s most competitive male trail athletes, known for his stamina on high-altitude courses. He has taken part in international events across Asia and Europe while consistently finishing strong in Nepal’s toughest ultras, including the Manaslu and Mustang Trail Races. His results make him one of the reliable front-runners in the growing Nepali trail community.