By Sachit Subba • Other Sports • Nov 07, 2026 16:52 PM • 25 views
KATHMANDU — Emmanuel Gauher of France and Kelsy Rex of the United States were the dominant performers on Saturday to take the 25km titles at the KVR Summit Challenge: Shivapuri Peak.
Organised by Trailmandu Nepal, it was a very tough mountain race. Gauher was the man to beat in the men's 25km, pulling clear to finish in 3:15:00. Brian E. Robinson of Canada was a very good second, just edging it in 3:30:00. Dawa Sherpa of Nepal held on to take third in 3:35:00, a very respectable podium finish for the hosts.
In the women's 25km, Rex was the clear winner with a consistent climbing pace to take the win in 3:32:00. Nepali specialist Chhring Ongmy Sherpa put in a very solid run through the rocky descents to take second in 4:03:00, ten minutes ahead of third placed American Sonya Martin who crossed in 4:13:00.
The 25km course was a test of technical ability and sheer cardiovascular endurance. You started in Suryachaur, climbed up through Gurje Bhanjyang to the summit of Shivapuri Peak, down through Danda Gaun and back via Gurje Bhanjyang to finish in Suryachaur. 33 trail runners took on the 25km and 18 sprinters did the 10km.
The 10km race was just as tough on the lower trails. The men's race was another case of American domination with a clean podium. Colton Witherell took the win in 1:20:45, with Christian Brand (1:27:00) and Wilbert Vaugh (1:38:00) following him through.
Women's 10km: Emile Vrain (GBR) was completely unassailable, home in 1:23:40 to take gold. Gaucher Peurire (FRA) was second in 1:26:40 and Maddy Utley (USA) was third in 1:28:00.
Nepal Olympic Committee representative Neeraj Shrestha presented the medals and trophies to the top finishers at the closing ceremony in Suryachaur. The single-day event clearly showed growing international interest in Nepal's ridge running and mountain sports programme, with 51 athletes from four countries competing in the Shivapuri hills.
