By Sachit Subba • Off-Field • Jun 28, 2026 08:55 AM • 87 views
KATHMANDU — Nepal's premier ultra-runner Rasila Tamang flew out of Kathmandu on Sunday for a two-month European training block aimed at elevating her status on the global mountain racing circuit. The 2026 trip will see the history-making athlete base herself in Grächen, Switzerland, and La Grave, France, two of the world's most demanding high-altitude training grounds.
Tamang secured her place in the history books as the first Nepali woman to win the prestigious Asia Trail Masters Women's Championship. This European stint aims to translate that continental dominance onto the European stage, where vertical kilometres and technical alpine terrains offer a different tier of competition.
Tamang’s itinerary includes competitive action. During her eight weeks in the Alps, she is scheduled to race in three European ultra-marathon events, though her team has yet to finalise the start lists. The focus on training and racing marks a step forward for Nepal's presence in international trail running.
Tamang also has mountaineering experience, which supports her endurance on the trails. Her resume includes successful summits of Yalung Ri (5,630 mtr), Chulu Far East (6,045 mtr), Pokalde (5,806 mtr), Lobuche East ( 6,119 mtr), and Island Peak (6,165 mtr).
This experience with thin air and rugged alpine terrain gives her an advantage as she transitions to the steep climbs of the Swiss and French Alps. For a runner used to operating above 6,000mtr , the European peaks present familiar conditions, setting the stage for a possible summer breakthrough.
