It was definitely not a piece of cake for mira to reach where she is now. Now she wins international trail races and inspires young nepali women. The ultrarunner started her career as an athlete in nepal when she was a child soldier. An exclusive interview with ultramarathoner mira rai. Mira, a documentary on trail runner mira rai releases on youtube. Get up to date with the latest ultra running and ultra marathon news from runultra. I first met mira, in 2015 as she rose through the racing ranks in europe.
Rai surname is prominent among bhumihar brahmins in purvanchal region of uttar pradesh, used by descendants of people who were bestowed with the title rai, same as. Mira rai initiative supporting nepali female athletes. How a girl from a remote nepali village became a worldclass trail runner. Rai competes at the 2014 manaslu trail race, which passes through nepals. The trail running scene in nepal also saw a big growth when nepalese trail runner, mira rai, was named 2017 national geographic adventurer of the year. This is the official page of nepali trail runner mira rai. How does she marshall her mind and body to overcome the inevitable hardships of this legendary, but brutal, race. Mira rai racing to help other runners nepali times buzz nepali. En france, elle a remporte les 80 km du marathon du mont blanc en. At the age of 12, she left school to help her family. In 2014, mira was unknown, but through the insight of. Despite of the injury, she was able to bag the second position at the race. The best portable snacks for ultrarunners the feed zone.
Follow nikkis journey from its beginning to her actual record attempt through vermonts beautiful and rugged green mountains. After gaining speedy international recognition as a trail runner, mira rai now wants to offer the same opportunities she had to other young nepali athletes. Salomon ben nevis ultra salomon ben nevis ultra 2017. Mighty mira tells the tale of nepali mira rai and how she chased her dream to. Mira rai empowers women of nepal through running ideaxme. The inaugural salomon ben nevis ultra proved to be a massive test of runners determination with the unusually wet summer making conditions tough under foot, for the 120km race through scottish glens, and over the uks highest mountain. Like a wellbalanced red wine, finn creates a smooth blend between his own quest to qualify for and run the utmb, stories of some of the sports greats like elisabet barnes, mira rai, kilian jornet. If you are an ultra runner, have ever been even mildly curious about such events, or if you are just a lover of great writing, you will greatly enjoy this book. Three peaks race, 37,4 km, 30 avril 2016, 3 h 35 min 55 s. Desperate for a job, mira rai nearly migrated to malaysia for work, but decided instead to devote herself to the sport. Mira rai, born in 1986 in bhojpur, nepal is a nepalese athlete and the ultrarunner trail runner. She has run in many international competitions and has won numerous awards. Based on the story of nepal mountain runner, mira raj.
Indias first ultra marathon, the bangalore ultra was held in 2007. Inappropriate the list including its title or description facilitates illegal activity, or contains hate speech or ad hominem attacks on a fellow goodreads member or author. Last week, rai flew straight back to nepal from hong kong after participating in a trail race to organise a 12km mountain marathon in pharping. Behind her, the nepalese runner mira rai, finished at 2 nd place after almost an hour. Nepal has been getting a lot of exposure as a trail running paradise.
My images and story of the journey is now available in trail runner magazine in the. Mira, a documentary on the journey of mira rai, a world champion trail runner, has been released on youtube. Incorrect book the list contains an incorrect book please specify the title of the book. Mira rai born 31 december 1988 is a nepalese trail runner and sky runner. I was familiar with the success story of mira rai, childsoldier turned salomon professional trail runner. Recently, the importance of sleep has had a bit of renaissance. Ultramarathoner dean karnazes claims there is magic in misery.
Running in nepal with mira rai trail runner magazine. At 14, she joined maoist rebel army to escape manual labour and early marriage. She was the winner of 2017 adventurer of the year from national geography and has participated in some of the worlds most challenging trails. Mira, a documentary on trail runner mira rai releases on youtube with video. While it would be easy to write off his habit of running for 100 miles at a timeor longeras mere masochism, its impossible to not admire his tenacity in pushing his body to reach one extreme goal after another. Each year national geographic honors 10 extraordinary people as part of our annual adventurers of the year awards. She feels proud to have been able to represent her people and country in national and international arenas. Mira rai has become a synonym for dream, courage and determination. Huffington post founder arianna huffington wrote a book called the sleep revolution, corporate offices have invested in nap spaces and new technology offers numerous ways to track your sleep patterns. A former child soldier, she burst onto the world trail running scene in 2014 when she won her first. The standard definition is anything past the marathon, or 26. Mira rai talented and hardworking girl won the runner up title of salomon pirineu ultra marathon held on spain. Mira rai to have her knee surgery this week, out of the. Mira rai from bhojpur did not know that mountain running could.
This interview was already telecasted in nepal television news channel. The 24 year old is ruling the international trail running scene. Sports talk altra marathon runnner mira rai in nepal. Mighty mira is the third book in our collection of stories about courageous females. Meet salomon ultra runner and nat geo adventurer of the year mira rai september 27, 2017 by orla omuiri no comments in a world full of trumps and kim jong uns, mira rai is a beacon of sunshine amongst all the craziness, and the nepalese ultrarunner has one hell of a story to tell. She had got injured while running in a race in the uk earlier this year. Mira rai once hauled rice sacks through the himalaya. Ultra runner, mira rai, is scheduled for her knee surgery at a hospital in verona, italy on thursday, july 28th. The western states endurance run, the badwater ultra in death valley, the 200 mile relay in california, and the first sanctioned marathon ever run in antarctica. Soochow international 24h ultramarathon is held since 1999 in taipei, and is an official iauregistered event. Richard bull m ira rai is a lowprofile type of national hero.
Its a simple story that pulls at the heart, inspires and at all times remains humble. In hong kong to receive her utwt 2017 champion trophy, the swiss runner has decided to stay a bit longer to start her season like she finished last year. Ultrarunner mira rai has been named national geographic peoples choice adventurer of the year. Ultrarunning bookstore ultrarunning books for sale. Ultrarunning is devoted to covering the sport of long distance running, also known as ultramarathoning, or, as we prefer, ultrarunning. However, the shortest standard distance that is considered an ultra is the 50 kilometer distance, or 31. Edinburgh athlete donald campbell won the mens race, with nepals mira rai dominating the womens race to finish 5th overall. The best portable snacks for ultrarunners ultra runner chris d. She was the peoples choice and won the popular vote for her achievements. As you consider your choices, keep the following in mind. She has participated in many international competitions and has won numerous. Based on the story of nepali mountain runner, mira rai. Mira rai is winning international races of 50km100km over mountains one of the worlds toughest sports. Three years ago, mira rai didnt know mountain trail running was a sport.
Proceeds from the sale of mighty mira go to trail running nepal and the sisugirls movement. With the help of mentors who spotted her talent and supported her training and participation in international. Female trail runner named adventurer of the year nepalese trail runner, mira rai, has been named as national geographics adventurer of the year. In this awardwinning film, ultra marathon runner nikki kimball takes on the 273mile long trail. Now, this former child soldier from rural nepal is one of the top longdistance, highelevation mountain runners in the.
Mira completed 110 km within hour 43 min and 49 sec. Book a flight subscribe to our enewsletter we use cookies. Goats and soda she dreamed of a better life outside her village in. A look into the world of national geographics adventurer of the year, mira rai. The interview was conducted by raju silwal, chief news editor of ntv. The surname rai may have several origins rai surname, is a prominent yadav and jatt sikh clan in punjab and haryana and bihar, they are descendent of indo aryans who ruled punjab, haryana and sindh areas from 17th to 19th century. Her ensuing story of success on the trails and then giving back to her community is the stuff of dreams. That day, she ran the 50km himalayan outdoor festival race. I was fortunate in november 2019 to visit the home of mira rai in a remote part of nepal. Irunfar us media mira makes for a beautiful viewing that gives hope.
After documenting my experience at the malnad ultra in india this past october, i arrived in nepals capital, kathmandu, curious about what nepalese trail running would be like. Running all her life nepali times buzz nepali times. Mira rai is a gold medal winner of mont blanc skyrunner world series. Ultramarathon man details deans foray into ultra running and four ultra races. Tyler courville grew up on an indian reservation in the united states. Mira rai racing to help other runners nepali times. The former child soldier turned star athlete blazing a. Mira rai goes from being a maoist guerilla to an international marathon champion. Running in nepal with mira rai a young runner fulfills his dream of running with nepalese runner mira rai in her home country. Nepals longdistance trail runner mira rai on her journey.
Lex limbu popular nepalese blogger mira is a film for all, runner or not, its just great story telling. To complete the podium, fuzhao xiang, another chinese runner, finished 6 minutes after mira. Trail runnings surging popularity has spilled over to the ultra world, meaning you have an abundance of options. M ira rai is already well known in nepal and in the international athletic community as a trail runner, and a new book spreads her fame beyond that by introducing her to other audiences around the world. Sleep is in, so does the science support the recent hype. Though only slightly longer than a marathon, those five extra miles can be. Less than three years after entering her first trail race, rai has solidified her position as a top ultrarunner, earning titles across the globe in. Mira rai was once a teenage guerrilla, wanted by nepals government. Mira rai now is a recognizable figure in her field where she has had amazing opportunities to participate in local, national, and international events and races across the world. Im a 36 year old canadian human rights lawyer who discovered ultrarunning ten years ago and now my closet is filled with running shoes, rather than high heels. Book description from this book provides runners, hikers, adventure racers, triathletesany athlete, with a. Fantastic female adventurers by lily dyu features rai as one of contemporary women who have had extraordinary adventures. Ultramarathon man confessions of an allnight runner. Ultrarunner mira rai is nat geos peoples choice adventurer of the.
Winner of the ultra marathon emelie forsberg set the target just before 4 min and 16 sec. Nepali girl mira rai became runner up in ultra marathon. Mira rai est une athlete nepalaise, nee le 31 decembre 1988. Mira is a gem among the many ultrarunning movies that are currently available. What drives someone to attempt such an incredible feat. Mira rai the queen of trails first nepalese female. Based on the story of nepali mountain runner, mira rai sisugirls book 3 kindle edition by chloe chick, natalie kwee.