​Trail Racing in Nepal

If your ultramarathon runner friend asks you to join a trail race, think very hard before agreeing. Especially if you live in Nepal, where it is impossible to go anywhere without going uphill 50% of the time. And especially if the route is Syambhou (monkey temple) to Seto Gumba (white temple) via Rato Gumba (red temple), all of which are located at the top of steep hills.
 
As I found out yesterday morning, a “fun 11 kilometer trail race” (by the Kathmandu Trail Race series) actually means “climb straight up on your hands and knees for 3 km and good luck making your legs work for the other 8 km”. I was quite slow, to say the least, but I did finish and most importantly I did NOT get eaten by monkeys.
 
This trail race series is promoted by Mira Rai, the ultra-marathon champion who was recently voted National Geographic Explorer of the Year. Check out Mira’s story here. Her success is an inspiration to girls and women in Nepal, and her fame has drawn attention to the incredible talent and potential of Nepali athletes. 
 
The true champion of the day was Sudeep, who ran me in and cheered me on from kilometer 9.5.