By Sachit Subba • Other Sports • Apr 20, 2026 16:48 PM • 52 views
KATHMANDU — Arjun Kulung Rai defended his title at the sixth Manjushri Trail Race (MTR), confirming his place among Nepal’s top ultra-endurance athletes.
Arjun completed the 100-mile (160km) race in 26:37:49. The course follows Kathmandu Valley's ridges. Milan Kulung Rai was second for the second year at 27:05:18. Vijay Rana Magar took third.
Sherpa Leads the Women’s Field
In the women’s 100-mile category, Nepal’s Ang Phurba Sherpa won in 33 hours, 13 minutes, 6 seconds, overcoming difficult terrain and major elevation changes.
New Zealand’s Annie Mai Baan finished second in 33:51:41. Nepal’s Anita Rai placed third. This reflects the event’s increasing international profile.
A Global Test of Endurance
This year, over 600 runners from 30 nations participated, highlighting the race’s growth from a local event to an international competition. The course features continuous elevation changes along the rim of the Kathmandu Valley.
Results Snapshot:
80km Men: Surya Raj Rai won in 13:19:54, finishing 21 seconds ahead of Dawa Tamang. 80km Women: India’s Dakahi Kyndait won in 19:22:16, followed by Nangkiewsuk Shlong (India) and Alexandra Wrigley (UK). 50km Men: Gopal Tamang won in 06:30:17. 50km Women: Sunari Rokaya won in 07:53:46.
The Path of the Legend
The race is named for Manjushri, the mythological figure who cut the Chobar gorge to drain the Kathmandu Valley lake.
The 100-mile race began on April 16 (Baisakh 4) at Patleban. Runners crossed the valley’s highest peaks before returning to the starting point. Other distances started from Nagarkot (80km), Godavari (50km), and Pharping (20km). All races finished at Patleban.
With the sixth edition complete, organisers have scheduled the seventh Manjushri Trail Race for March 5–7, 2027.
