It’s a Wednesday morning in the third week of November. As the first light of day shines on the peaks of Solukhumbu, a crisp, biting cold sweeps through the air, carrying the hum of the Himalayas’ timeless energy.

In Tyangboche, Suman Kulung prepares for the 28km final leg of the gruelling Everest Trail Race. The soft rustling of prayer flags and the distant clinking of yak bells accompany a routine he has followed many times before. Yet, something has changed in the past couple of years.

The Austrian flag sewn onto his running vest silently represents the support that has catapulted him to the forefront of Nepal’s trail running scene. He takes first place in the Everest Trail Race, adding to his three other victories in 2017, 2019, and 2023.

On December 7, he clinches another win—the Fishtail Race in Pokhara—solidifying his place among the best. His streak of success is not the result of mere luck. It is, rather, a story of grit, global partnerships, and self-belief.

Fueling Success

At the heart of his success is the support of the Dr. Sigrid Schwarzenbacher Foundation, a non-profit co-founded by Austrian medical doctor Sigrid Schwarzenbacher and Petra Nocker-Schwarzenbacher. “They’ve supported me at every turn,” the 32-year-old Nepali runner reflects. “They’ve helped me refine my mindset—teaching me how to train, recover, and believe in myself.”

The foundation’s roots in Nepal stretch back 15 years to Dr. Schwarzenbacher’s first visit to Dhulikhel Hospital, located just 30 km east of Kathmandu. During her two-month medical residency, she also explored Nepal’s landscapes and communities. There, she built a strong bond with the people. This connection led her to collaborate with local organisations. With Nocker-Schwarzenbacher by her side, they began organising medical camps in remote areas, focusing on the Manaslu region.

Since 2017, they have organised medical camps in the Manaslu region every two years, partnering with Austrian doctors to provide essential care and supplies to remote communities.

After the COVID pandemic in 2022, while running camps in Prok and Philim in the Manaslu region, the visiting philanthropists encountered Kulung, who was then working as a porter.

His athletic build and tireless work ethic hinted at untapped potential.

“We learned through a translator that he was already an accomplished trail runner in Nepal,” Nocker-Schwarzenbacher says. He was leading a dual life, juggling his passion for trail running with the demanding work of being a porter to support his family.

Humble Beginning

Kulung’s journey as a trail runner began humbly in the rugged landscapes of Solukhumbu, where he worked as a porter and mountain guide. His endurance was forged in the mountains, and his passion for running evolved naturally from his connection to the terrain. He quickly made his mark on the competitive scene, debuting at the Annapurna 100 in 2014, where he secured 11th place. This performance sparked his passion for competitive running. By 2015, he finished 20th at the Vibram Hong Kong 100 in a field of over a thousand competitors.

He was running in worn-out sneakers, navigating technical descents with an agility born out of necessity rather than formal training. But he persevered through limited resources and training. In 2017, Kulung secured his first major victory at the Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon, which gave him local recognition.

However, it was that chance encounter with Dr. Schwarzenbacher and Nocker-Schwarzenbacher in 2022 that ultimately led to his gaining broader international recognition.

“We knew he had the potential for so much more with the right resources and training,” says Nocker-Schwarzenbacher. They offered him an opportunity to train professionally in Austria.

There was, however, one obstacle: his lack of English proficiency. His sponsors, recognising the importance of language skills in his new training environment, urged him to learn English. Kulung embraced the challenge and began taking English lessons as soon as he could afford them.

“By the end of March, he called us, saying, ‘I’m ready to come to Europe,’” she recalls.

Monumental Shift

In July 2023, Kulung landed in Austria and spent six weeks undergoing professional training. Moving from the rugged trails of Nepal to the structured world of professional training in Austria was a monumental shift. It marked not just a geographical transition, but an introduction to a different way of life and sport.

“It was overwhelming,” Kulung admits. But he was determined to embrace it as a growth opportunity. The trail races he participated in during his time in Austria were a completely new experience. Trail running in Europe is characterised by a high level of professionalism. Elite athletes follow structured training plans, undergo medical monitoring, and receive professional coaching.

To support him in maintaining this level of performance, the foundation ensured he had access to all necessary resources. Three weeks after his arrival, Kulung underwent his first sports medical evaluation, which provided critical data to guide his training. But just as important as the data was having a dedicated coach.

The foundation brought in Harald Viertlmayr, an expert in sports science and former professional footballer with coaching experience at FC Red Bull Salzburg to mentor Kulung.

“Hari has been the perfect guide for Suman,” notes Nocker-Schwarzenbacher.

Viertlmayr refined Kulung’s training to focus on endurance, recovery, mental toughness, and nutrition. This comprehensive approach helped him adapt to the demands of elite-level running. It was also a steep learning curve. Kulung shares, “I learned the importance of rest, efficient training, and proper nutrition. These elements were new to me, but I embraced them fully.”

Life After Running

While training in Austria, Kulung also discovered skiing, adding a new skill to his athletic repertoire. Nocker-Schwarzenbacher, who runs the Brückenwirt hotel in St. Johann/Pongau, Salzburg, valued career stability and helped prepare him for life after running. She guided him towards restaurant management, providing an additional layer of security for his family’s future.

“Suman’s rise is not just about his athletic accomplishments,” she says. “It’s about giving him the tools to build a life after running. The goal is to ensure a sustainable future in every way.”

Along with a few foundation members, she has personally provided support worth around $12,000 annually. She coordinated his work schedule with his training plan to boost preparation for summer races.

After a productive winter in Europe, Kulung travelled to Nepal for races, staying in touch with his coach in Austria. Unfortunately, his parents fell ill, affecting his training. But, he chose to compete in the Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon in May and finished second. However, his deviation from the prescribed training plan frustrated his coach.

It was a humbling experience that prompted Kulung to reflect on his goals. “It made me ask myself: ‘Do I want to be just a good trail runner or one of the world’s best?’”

With renewed focus, Kulung threw himself into the training regimen that Viertlmayr tailored for him. His versatility shone as he started achieving remarkable results in diverse terrains and distances.

He excelled in the UTMB Master Series, with top finishes in prestigious races like the Istria UTMB (eighth place), the Asiago 50K (first place), and the Fieberbrunn KAT100 (4th place). His victory at the adidas Terrex Infinite Trail in September and a strong sixth-place finish at the Slovenia Master Series by UTMB marked his ascent to the global stage.

Enormous Potential

Coach Viertlmayr believes his ward has the potential to become one of the world’s top long-distance trail runners. Kulung’s success embodies the mission of the Dr. Sigrid Schwarzenbacher Foundation, which focuses on medical, social, and educational empowerment. Now, it also recognises the untapped potential of trail running in Nepal.

“We believe trail running has enormous potential in Nepal,” says Nocker-Schwarzenbacher, “and we’re committed to creating pathways for other athletes, just as we have for Suman.”

Kulung’s journey is more than a personal triumph—it is a story of how talent, when coupled with opportunity and the right support, can propel someone from humble beginnings to international stardom. His success is an inspiration not just to Nepal’s budding trail runners but to all who dream of reaching their highest potential.

“The mountains have always been my home, but now they are my stage,” Kulung says, his gaze fixed on the horizon. His eyes reflect the promise of a future shaped by trails, dreams, and determination.

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