Pokhara
A resilient Rai clinches second place at the Asia Pacific Trail Running Championships despite fierce competition and illness; Sunuwar stands seventh on his international debut.
Nepal’s Priya Rai has secured an impressive second-place finish in the women’s 40km run at the inaugural Asia Pacific Trail Running Championships held in Ulju, South Korea. The other Nepali runner, Tilak Sunuwar, also completed the distance in a creditable seventh place in the men’s section.
The short course race held on Friday attracted top athletes from across the region, showcasing some of the most competitive and gruelling trail running talent in Asia.
The competition, which followed Thursday evening’s colourful opening ceremony, saw Rai cross the line in 4 hours, 41 minutes and 23 seconds, just four minutes behind the race winner.
Takako Takamura and led the Japanese charge in the race, securing the top of the podium, clocking 4:36:24. Her compatriot Honoka Akiyama (4:53:08) completed the podium.
Despite dealing with a stomach bug, Rai displayed resilience, a quality she also showed in winning the Asia Trail Master Championship in Malaysia last month.
“I had a chance for the lead in the last 5km but couldn’t keep up on the descent,” Rai told APTRC’s live streaming channel after the race. She also thanked supporters, celebrating her podium finish as a breakthrough moment for Nepal’s trail running.
“I’m happy with the result. I want to thank all the fans and supporters for getting us here.”
Rai’s podium finish highlights Nepal’s growing presence in the international trail running scene. With this achievement, Rai strengthens her standing as one of the leading figures among emerging athletes in Nepali trail running.
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In the men’s 40km race, Sunuwar kept the Nepali spirits high. He completed the race, coming home just shy of 17 minutes behind Onifa John Ray of the Philippines.
Sunuwar showcased grit, finishing seventh in his international debut, after initially holding a competitive fourth place. A wrong turn late in the race cost him several places. But he remained positive about his top-ten finish, saying, “It was a good experience competing outside my backyard.”
As news spread through social media and other channels, Nepali runners were lauded for their impressive performances on the opening day of the competition in South Korea.
“Nepal’s athletes made a significant mark in today’s races, impacting both their careers and the broader Nepali trail running community,” said veteran trail runner Dina Bagale in response to the event results.
Bagale, who has experience running in Ulsan, said, “Many of these trails resemble those in Nepal’s hills. I sensed they would play to our runners’ strengths, and I’m thrilled to see that prediction come true.”
Despite setbacks such as visa rejections, which limited Nepal’s team to six athletes, the event continued to build momentum for Nepali trail running. Dina Bagale expressed pride in the athletes, remarking that their performances showcased Nepal’s strength in rugged mountain terrain similar to their homeland.
From his home in Kathmandu, trail running coach Purna Tamang is closely monitoring the developments in Korea, particularly as the competition unfolds. He expressed optimism that Friday’s results would serve as a strong motivator for Nepali athletes as they tackle the longer, more challenging course on Saturday.
“Rai and Sunuwar’s performances have set a powerful example for the rest of the Nepali team,” Tamang told 8850 Media over the phone, underscoring the potential ripple effect their success could have on team morale and overall performance in the upcoming races.
The five-day event in Ulju continues with the 80km long-course race, where Nepal’s Rashila Tamang will compete in the women’s section on Saturday. In the men’s division, Tirtha Bahadur Tamang, Man Kumar Roka Magar, and Gopal Tamang, will also challenge the best of Asia’s trail athletes.
