Sunmaya Budha of Nepal has put in a stellar performance in the women’s 103km race at the Hong Kong 100 (HK100) Ultra Marathon, securing a dominant victory that set the stage for the season.

The inaugural event of the World Trail Majors witnessed more record-breaking feats, as both the men’s and women’s fields saw new course records set on Saturday.

Sunmaya, competing in her first race in Hong Kong, crossed the finish line in 11:11:47, breaking Xiang Fuzhao’s 2020 record of 11:28:21. Her victory not only etched her name in the history books of this prestigious World Trail Majors event but also cemented her place among the sport’s elite competitors.

“Battling with two fierce competitors on such a technical course made the race unforgettable,” said the 24-year-old Nepali runner told the HK100 live streaming channel after the race. “It demanded all my focus and skill, but I stayed relentless in my pursuit. I’m glad I had the strength to claim victory.”

Slovakia’s Veronika Leng finished second with a time of 11:25:22 , while Vietnam’s Ha Thi Hau secured third place in 12:09:37. The top five were rounded out by two Chinese runners, Jingyan Tang (12:19:20) and Lingjie Chi (12:31:47), both representing Salomon, highlighting the growing strength of trail running in Asia.

Chinese Sweep

In the men’s race, defending champion Meng Guangfu of China delivered a breathtaking performance, finishing in 9:43:10—more than 17 minutes faster than the previous record.

Qin Guidu also crossed the line in sub-10 hour mark, stopping the clock at 9:51:11. Deng Guomin completed the race in 10:07:52, completing the Chinese clean sweep of the podium.

Nepali runner Man Kumar Roka Magar performed commendably, finishing seventh with a time of 10:58:04. His top-10 finish highlights the growing prominence of Nepali athletes in the global trail running arena. Other notable Nepali performances included Keshar Jung Ale (32nd), Sangé Sherpa (36th), Lil Bahadur Gurung (45th).

Set against the stunning backdrop of Hong Kong’s diverse terrain, including the picturesque Sai Kung Peninsula, the UNESCO Global Geopark, and the challenging ascent to Tai Mo Shan, the race offered a formidable challenge for participants. The event underscored the rising prominence of women in ultra-distance racing, with competitors from across the globe showing exceptional tenacity and grace.

This year’s HK100, part of the ITRA National League, attracted 2,800 elite runners and passionate enthusiasts. With its challenging course, spectacular views, and competitive field, the event continues to shine as a crown jewel in the trail running calendar.

Sunmaya’s victory showcased both her tactical mastery and unparalleled endurance. The top-ranked Nepali female trail runner set a competitive tone from the start, reporting at East Dam in second place, just behind Hong Kong-based Slovak runner Veronika Leng. Despite briefly dropping to third at the second checkpoint, she maintained a steady pace, conserving energy for the grueling segments ahead.

“It was almost an 80km battle. It was much a mental race as it was physical. The first 50km was flat but there were so many technical climbs at the end,” said Sunmaya, who represents the Kailas Fuga Team. “A three-way fight in a race like this teaches you that every second counts.”

At Hau Tong Kai, Sunmaya regained the lead after conquering the 12km uphill stretch, showcasing her resilience and climbing prowess. Though she briefly fell to second place at Pak Sha O, she reclaimed the lead at Yung Shue O and never looked back.

This year’s HK100 not only highlighted Nepal’s growing prominence in the trail running world but also marked a remarkable family triumph.

The Half

Sunmaya’s triumph came a day after her younger sister, Rammaya, made her own mark by dominating the women’s 56km ‘The Half’ race.

Representing the Kailas Fuga Team, Rammaya delivered an electrifying performance, shattering the course record with a time of 5 hours, 34 minutes, and 5 seconds. Her emphatic victory announced her arrival on the international trail running scene and showcased the immense talent within the Budha family.

Their success not only brought pride to their nation but also set a competitive benchmark for future events in the World Trail Majors.

Rammaya–the younger sister of well-known trail runner Sunmaya–crossed the finish line nearly 24 minutes ahead of second-placed Yuri Yoshizumi of Japan (5:58:12). Yang Yan of China claimed third with a time of 6:13:36.

Ruifang Zhou (6:15:45) and Linlin Yang (6:17:05), both from China, rounded out the top five.

Another Nepali runner, Rajya Laxmi Rawal, also turned up with an inspiring performance to finish seventh with a time of 6:33:03.

The men’s race showcased an intense competition as three runners from China swept the podium in a thrilling finish.

Yang Jianjian claimed the top spot with a time of 4 hours, 36 minutes and 4 seconds. Zhang Sheng came in just over three minutes behind at 4:39:27. Luo Canhua completed the podium in third place at 4:43:54.

Nepal’s Dhir Bahadur Budha completed the course in 5:56:04 for 23rd place among 523 finishers.

The Third

The event kicked off on Thursday, with Australia’s Curtis winning 33km ‘The Third’. It showcased an electrifying competition as Curtis smashed the previous course record, completing the distance in an impressive 2 hours, 43 minutes and 58 seconds.

This record-breaking performance has set a high bar for future participants and added a thrilling chapter to the legacy of the HK100. The Third, renowned for its technical climbs and stunning views from Tai Cham Koi, started with 752 international and local athletes, including 296 female runners.

Trailing close behind Curtis was China’s Zhangxing Yang of IchallengeLab, finishing in 2:45:56, while another Australian Vlad Ixel secured third place with a time of 2:52:09, adding another podium finish for Team BIX.

Yongjie Li from Engine Bird narrowly missed the podium, clocking 3:01:20, followed by Yongbo Wu of Anta Guanjun Saker 2 and Xingzhi Bai of Vibram, completing in 3:01:45 and 3:01:55, respectively.

The women’s division of the race was just as thrilling. Junhui Liu led the strong Chinese charge to win with a commanding performance. Representing IchallengeLab, Liu completed the course in 3 hours, 28 minutes and 52 seconds, securing first place by nearly ten minutes.

Fen Zhao, representing News Research, claimed second place with a time of 3:38:25, followed closely by Tsz Kwan Lee in third place at 3:39:13. Kana Antonio and Wenfei Xie rounded out the top five with times of 3:46:32 and 3:49:38, respectively.

The Grand Sam

Hong Kong-based Nepali trail runner Dina Bagale secured a commendable 14th position at the prestigious “Grand Sam” of the event. Bagale, representing his club KHNutra, completed the gruelling course in a combined 26 hours and 18 seconds.

Chinese runner Wu Yongbo of China emerged as the champion, clocking an impressive 20:30:16. Britain’s Ryan Whelan separated the Chinese athletes, claiming second spot at 21:08:42, finishing ahead of Liu Yang (21:14:44).

The Grand Sam challenges participants to conquer a series of progressively demanding races over three consecutive days: The Third (33 km), The Half (56 km), and the flagship Hong Kong 100 (103 km).

Bagale’s performance, marked by his endurance and determination, complemented previous feats by Nepali runners in the premier Asian trail-running event.

“The course was a true test of endurance. Every climb, every descent pushed me beyond what I thought I could endure,” he said. “There were moments when my body wanted to stop, but those were the moments that revealed my true strength.”

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