Nepali trail runner Sunmaya Budha from Pere, Patarasi, Karnali Province, claimed the World Trail Majors title on November 22 by winning the Ultra-Trail Cape Town 100km in South Africa.
Covering 99 km with 4,676m elevation gain in 12h 25m 55s, she finished nearly an hour ahead of the second-place runner. Budha’s 2025 season is historic, featuring five international wins and a silver medal at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Spain, where she recorded the fastest descent of the day, a first for a Nepali athlete in a World Athletics-sanctioned event.
Her 2025 victories include Anta Hong Kong 100 (course record), Chengdu Trail 60, Ultra-Trail Mount Yun (third overall among 1,144 runners), and Annapurna Marathon 42K. Budha trains in her home village, Jumla, supported by Asia Pacific Adventure Group and local team operations led by Preeti Khattri.
Experts highlight that her achievements underscore the need for Nepal to provide consistent institutional support for elite athletes competing internationally, enhancing national pride and tourism.