Summary:
Sunmaya Budha, a 26-year-old ultra-marathon runner from Nepal’s Jumla district, has quickly become a leading figure in women’s trail running. Despite visa delays that had her travel nearly 3,000 km to reach Hong Kong for the January 100km Sai Kung Peninsula race, she not only competed but won, breaking the previous women’s record with a time of 11:11:47. She followed this with a win in the 60km Chengdu Trail Race in Italy shortly after.

Budha’s journey is marked by overcoming social challenges, including rebelling against a teen marriage tradition common in her remote Nepal village, pursuing her passion for running instead. She ranks as Nepal’s fastest female ultra-marathoner and is among the top female trail runners globally in her age group.

In 2023 alone, she raced six or seven times in Hong Kong, winning multiple events like the North Face 100 Ultra Trail Challenge, Lantau 50, and TransLantau 50k races. Experts have long predicted her rise to the top of the sport, with some calling her a “silent killer” on the trails due to her calm yet fierce racing style.

Her successes have attracted sponsorships from major brands such as North Face Adventure Team and Kailas, providing essential support for her training and career growth. Her agent describes these deals as life-changing opportunities, highlighting her growing influence in ultra-marathon running.

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