Kathmandu, March 18
The fourth edition of the Manjushree Trail Race, Nepal’s only 100-mile race, is set to take place from April 5 to April 7 in Kathmandu.
The latest edition of the race, which is the only International Trail Running Association (ITRA)-certified 100-mile trail race in Nepal, will see over 500 runners who will take part in the three different events in the race.
This year, there is an incentive for the runners as the Manjushree Trail Race has partnered with the Asian Trail Master (ATM) which means Nepali runners have the chance to take part in some of the biggest trail running events across the world.
“This is great news for us. The ATM has listed the Manjushree Trail Race and Jumla Rara Ultra Marathon on the list of races through which races can gain qualifying points. This means, Nepalis now can race in Nepal itself rather than travelling abroad to take part in these races,” said Jimmy Oostrum, a member of the organising team.
What this also means is racers from all across Asia will also come to Nepal to take part in the race.
“This puts Nepal on the map for ultra and trail runners,” said Subash Thapa, president of the trail race and general secretary of the Nepal Adventure Running Federation.
Being listed on the ATM has its fair share of perks too. If a racer, both men and women, finish in the top five of the Majushree Trail Race and the Jumla Rara Marathon, they get a direct ticket to the Asia Trail Master Championship race, later this year.
“This is not going to be easy as it is one week apart but it is great ATM has provided this incentive and made racing accessible to all,” said Oostrum.
Along with that, the Manjushree Trail Race is also an ITRA Nation League race which means runners will also compete to become the 2024 ITRA National Champion.
The Manjushree Trail Race has also been accredited to provide runners with a UTMB index rating, which allows you to enter UTMB qualifying races, and have a possibility to enter the main UTMB races in Chamonix in August 2024.
The race, which first took place around the hills of Kathmandu Valley (Kathmandu Valley Rim) in 2021, is one of the toughest races in Nepal.
The race takes runners along the Kathmandu valley rim ridge line and across the seven peaks that surround the valley – Jamacho, Shivapuri, Nagarkot, Phulchoki, Champadevi, Bhasmasur and Chandragiri. It covers 175.18 km, with an incline of 12,695 metres across the seven peaks.
The last stage race of the Kathmandu Valley Rim, a 30-kilometre trail race organised by Trailmandu, will also take place on the last day of the race.
“This is to give aspiring runners a glimpse of what it is like to take part in a long race,” said Jeevan Lama, the co-founder of Trailmandu.
This year, cash prizes will be given to the winners of the race.
| Race | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
| 100 Mile | Rs 60,000 | Rs 40,000 | Rs 20,000 |
| 100 Kilometre | Rs 40,000 | Rs 25,000 | Rs 15,000 |
| 50 Kilometre | Rs 30,000 | Rs 15,000 | Rs 10,000 |
| KVR 100 Stage Race (Both) | Rs 20,000 | Rs 10,000 | Rs 5,000 |
