The 5th edition of Jumla Rara Ultra in the west of Nepal once again showed how much raw trail running talent is hiding in some remote parts of the world. Local runners set the 50k alight with spirited runs across three stunning mountain passes on the way to the beautiful finish area at Rara Lake. Dhir Bahadur Budha grabbed victory in the men’s race, reversing positions with last year’s winner Dal Bahadur Kunwar, in a time of 4h57. Considering the elevation gain and high altitude - Chuhemara Pass is over 4000m above sea level - that is astonishing. In the women’s race, another local runner, Rajya Laxmi Rawal , reached out to victory and reached the last summit first, but she was overtaken in the last kilometers of the descent to the finish by Priya Rai - the more experienced winner of Manjushree Trail 50k just a week ago. Rai finished in 6h07, a good seven minutes ahead of Rawal.

No fewer than 14 finishers of the Manjushree Trail in Kathmandu made the very long journey to Jumla by bus. For Nepalese runners, the doubleheader was the best opportunity to score two race finishes as a minimum requirement for potential selection for the ATM Championship Final in Malaysia on 14 September (Borneo TMBT Ultra). Obviously, having completed the 100 miles or 100km at MTR was no advantage going into a 50k with highly motivated locals. Arjun Rai Kulung, Dipesh Tamang, Furpa Singi Tamang, Bijay Rana Magar, Abinas Devkota and others all focused on finishing the race. Arjun, the great 100 miles winner a week ago, suffered from stomach problems to boot and crossed the line in 29th place - no extra championship points but at least a second finish. Milan Kulung Rai had the best recovery after MTR. Fourth on the 100k in Kathmandu, eighth in JRU. Lokendra Rai was 4th on the MTR 50k, and 12th in JRU. Important points for both of them!

The Karnali Sports Club has been doing great work in the Jumla and Rara region for some years already, and with 9 out of 10 male runners in the top 10, and 5 in the female top 10 they had big reasons to celebrate. Priya Rai had to dig deep to get her second victory in a week, using her racing craft and experience to make that happen. Rajya Laxmi Rawal finishing just seven minutes later was proof her incredible talent. Also third -placed Anita Budha raised eyebrows finishing some 25 minutes behind Priya. That was 25 minutes ahead of Chhoki Sherpa, for example. Priya Rai and Chhoki Sherpa also scored their qualification for the ATM Finals. And so did Padam Kumari Sunawar, winner of the 100k at MTR, and Ang Furba Sherpa, third on the 100 Miles at MTR!

Apart from the individual chances, Team Nepal could be a favourite for this season’s ATM Team Championship. Of course, getting everyone to actually run in Malaysia is a first major hurdle to overcome next.

One week after the successful MTR event in Kathmandu, several Nepalese runners have traveled across their country to the western towns of Jumla and Rara for the 5th edition of the Jumla Rara Ultra Marathon. Organised by Karnali Sports, JRU offers a mountainous 50k course that goes up to 4000m above sea level at Chuchemara Lekh before plunging down to the Rara Lake at 2990m and the finish line. It’s a pure mountain trail, going uphill and downhill, with three significant sections: Danphe (3500m), Kavra cave, Bhulbhule (2950m) and Chuchemara (4017m).

It is not easy and it requires time to reach Jumla, but participants are treated to amazing scenery even for Nepal’s high standards. Some of the runners who performed well in Manjushree last week will be back at the starting line. For the first time, competitive Nepalese runners have the chance to qualify for the ATM Championship Final and score two ATM race finishes within their own country. Last week’s 100 miles star Arjun Rai Kulung has reportedly also made the trip to JRU so will be back in action again! The same goes for the number 3 in the 100 miles last week, Bijay Rana Magar, Milan Rai Kulung, Abinas Devkota, Furpa Singi Tamang and others. But there’s top talent in the west of Nepal, too. Last year, JRU was won by Dal Bahadur Kuwar in a fantastic finish time of 4h54’10” after a great battle with Dhir Bahadur Budha, who came in just three minutes later. Fastest woman last year was Manju Rawot in 6:06:23. It will be interesting to see what last week’s 50k winner Priya Rai can do in JRU, as well as Chhoki Sherpa - third a week ago, and Ang Furba Sherpa - second on the 100k in MTR.

Mobile connectivity may be an issue to get live updates from the race, but we do have a reporter on-site, Jeevan, so it will be worthwile to check our socials on Saturday!

Dal Bdr Kunwar, winner of JRU a year ago

Dhir Bdr Budha, second place last year

Rajya Laxmi Rawal, one of the local favourites

Priya Rai: outstanding in Manjushree Trail 50k a week ago

Already twice on ATM race podiums: Chhoki Sherpa

Winner of the 100 Miles at MTR, now he’s on the 50 at JRU!

Padam Kumari Sunuwar won the 100km a week ago

The race course between Jumla and Rara reaches significant altitudes

Jumla Rara Ultra is the second Nepalese event on our ATM Championship calendar this season taking place the weekend after The Manjushree Trail. The 5th edition of this event is set for Saturday, 13 April and keeps the exciting A to B course to the Rara Lake, measuring just under 50km. Organised by Karnali Sports, JRU and the organising team of MTR are collaborating to facilitate transportation and overall logistics for runners aiming to attend both events. Jumla Rara Ultra is set on the other side of Nepal in the west, a region considered a ‘hidden gem’ by people and adventurers familiar with the region. The JRU event has been establised to boost adventure sports and tourism in this remote part of the country, as well as to provide local athletes with an opportunity to shine and attract national and regional attention.

The Jumla Rara Ultra starts from Jumla bazaar at an altitude of 2305m, and finishes at the Rara lake higher up at 2990m above sea level. The course is officially measured at 49 km. The course is undulating nonstop, but there are three steeper and distinct peaks with Danphe (3500m), Kavra cave, Bhulbhule (2950m) and Chuchemara (4017m). For international runners, having spent the weekend before in Kathmandu for the MTR event will clearly be a bonus to be adjusted to the high altitude of especially the Chuchemara pass.

The 4th edition of the event was an official ATM Candidate Race in 2023, won by Dal Bdr Kunwar in 4:54:10, just three minutes ahead of second-placed Dhir Bdr Budha. The women’s race went to Manju Rawot in 6:06:23.

We are very happy to announce that The Manjushree Trail Race and Jumla Rara Ultra in Nepal have been added to the 2024 Asia Trail Master Championship calendar on back-to-back weekends in early April. It is the first time since 2018 trail runners can score points for our ATM Championship in Nepal, and a logistical cooperation between the two events will even make it feasible to run both races in one trip to the Himalayan country. The Manjushree Trail Race takes place near country capital Kathmandu and on the famous Kathmandu Valley Rim, whereas the Jumla Rara Ultra event is set in the far west of Nepal, from Jumla to the Rara Lake - considered a hidden gem. Race dates are 5/6 April and 13 April , respectively.

For more on Jumla Rara Ultra, please go and read here

The 3rd edition of the Manjushree Trail Race event features four race distance categories, of which the 100 Miles, 100 km and 55km offer points for the ATM Championship ranking. Runners aiming for Grandmaster points of course need to focus on the 100km or 100 miles only. The 100 miler is a special one here and not only because it’s the only real one in Nepal. As the official website says: ‘The race route takes runners along the famous Kathmandu valley rim ridge line and across the seven peaks that surround the valley. As part of this, the racecourse also crosses the two national park (Nagarjun and Shivapuri) that border the valley. Over 85% of the route is single track, where it sometimes takes hours before runners come across a little settlement. Even though you are technically still within the Kathmandu valley, you will feel like you are far away from urbanization many times during the race.’ Looking at the course map, you see one big natural loop that measures 175 kilometres (so it’s actually longer than 100 miles). The names of the seven peaks are Jamacho, Shivapuri, Nagarkot, Pulchowki, Champadevi, Basmandur and Chandragiri. Total elevation gain is estimated at over 12000hm, meaning this is a race you need to be physically and mentally prepared for. The race starts on Friday early morning and the cut-off time at the finish will be reached after 52 hours.

The MTR 100 km and 55km races will have different start and finish locations along the same route as the 100 miler. The 100km will have an evening start and has a cut-off time of 26 hours, which considering the overall altitude and elevation gain is indeed quite tight. Note that pacers are allowed for the 100k participants from the start till dawn the next morning. Details can be obtained via the very informative official MTR website. The 55km race will start at 7am in the early morning on Saturday and finish 16 hours later. As much as a running competition, MTR will be an adventure and provide people with a lifetime of memories.

Where does the name Manjushree comes from? The website exlains: ‘The Kathmandu Valley Rim 100 miler is named after the god Manjushree. According to the legend, It is believed that Manjushree arrived at the edge of the valley while being on a pilgrimage, encountering a large lake that once filled the valley. Upon arrival, the god saw a lotus flower in the centre of the lake, which emitted brilliant radiance. Having walked around the valley rim, the god reached Chovar, where Manjushree used its flaming sword to cut a gorge, allowing the lake to drain and the Kathmandu valley to appear. The place where the lotus flower settled became allegedly became the Swayambhunath Stupa and with the valley being no longer under water, it became habitable and Kathmandu was founded. This has left Manjushree in a way to be the patron of the valley and to leave tales of the route the god walked before cleaving the rim and allowing the land to emerge. There are different opinions on what the exact route is that Manjushree travelled and so the Manjushree trail race is in no way trying to exactly replicate this or claiming to be a pilgrimage in anyway. Rather than that, it is inspired by the legend and therefore has chosen to honor this in its name and logo.’

This event has not suddenly emerged from nowhere. MTR is the result of years of work by trail pioneers even including international stars such as Lizzy Hawker and Seth Wolphin. Also. our reigning female Asia Trail Master Champion Rashila Tamang is a proud member of the MTR Team. The 2024 edition is already the third and the previous two have received widespread praise.

You can find all details on the event via the official website, as well as the registration facilities. Please note that after the event, transportation will be organised for local and international runners to travel to West Nepal for the Jumla Rara Ultra 50km race the weekend after on Saturday, 13 April.

The 4th edition of the Jumla Rara Ultra Marathon event in the west of Nepal delivered two great race winners who both broke the course record in their respective male and female categories. Dal Bdr Kunwar covered the 49km race in 4:54:10, just three minutes ahead of second-placed Dhir Bdr Budha. Third place on the podium went to Sher Bdr Budha in 5:08:41, indicating a tight and highly competitive race.

In the women’s race the different was clearer as Manju Rawot came into the finish in 6:06:23, a solid 48 minutes ahead of Ganana Bhandari. Anita Budha completed the podium a short while later.

The Jumla Rara Ultra obtained the ATM Candidate Race label and is aiming to enter the ATM Championship calendar in 2024. If so, it would be the first Nepali race in our Championship since 2018. The event takes place in a stunningly beautiful setting in the west of the country, which also makes it remote and far from capital city Kathmandu. It is organised by the Karnali Sports Club, which is determined to assist talented youngsters in gaining sporting experiences and develop their skills for potential international competitions later on.

Male winner Dal Bdr Kunwar

female winner Manju Rawat

We are happy to announce a new ATM Candidate Race in Nepal: the 4th edition of Jumla Rara Ultra Marathon takes place in the northwestern part of the Himalayan country on Monday (!), 24 April. On the programme is a daytime 50km race from A to B, at high altitude with accumulated elevation gain of approx 3900 hm. In other words: a race for mountain goats, of course unsurprising for Nepal.

The event has been set up by Karnali Sports, a non-profit organisation that aims to nurture local running talent - and sports talent in general, as well as turn the Jumla area into a high-altitude training center for athletes. This year’s edition on 24 April is already the 4th, and international trail runners are now kindly encouraged to come to Nepal and take part.

The race starts from Jumla bazaar at an altitude of 2305m (i.e. please allow for some acclimatisation time when you travel here), and finishes at the Rara lake at 2990m. The race course is measured at 49 km, and is basically uphill and downhill all the way with a few distinct points of note: Danphe at 3500m, Kavra Cave, Bhulbhule at 2950m and Chuchemara at 4017m. Yes, 4017m above sea level! A very interesting but definitely challenging mountain trail course, and runners from outside Nepal must be aware of the very high altitudes and allow for some days to get used to them before taking the start of the race. Moreover, be prepared for snow as well.

Rara is the largest lake in Nepal, and the multiday trekking from Jumla to the lake is a popular backpacker activity for travellers who like to explore nature off-the-beaten-track.

On the website, linked below, you can find details of how-to-get-there from Kathmandu. Options are long distance busses or a domestic flight. There’s also a recommended itinerary for 7 days mentioned as an example, including time to acclimatise.

The event takes place soon already, so early decision-making is required.

Runners may encounter snow along the course to the lake