Pratap Thamsuhang and Pushpa Sherma secured first place in the open men’s and women’s categories respectively at the 8th edition of the Mundum Monsoon Trail Race 2026, held on Monday in Bhojpur.
The 18-kilometer challenging trail race is part of efforts to promote the renowned Mundum Trek, one of Nepal’s officially listed 100 tourism destinations.
Strong Performance in Open Category Races
In the open men’s category, Pratap Thamsuhang completed the race in 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 19 seconds to secure the top position.
Chandra Bahadur Limbu finished second, while Deepak Rai secured third place in the same category.
In the women’s open category, Pushpa Sherma emerged victorious with a finishing time of 2 hours, 33 minutes, and 14 seconds.
Rushma Rai claimed second place, followed by Dirpa Basnet in third position.
Veteran Category Winners Also Announced
In the men’s veteran category (above 40 years), Jangbir Kulung finished first, followed by Kiran Kulung in second place and Vijay Kumar Rai in third.
The veteran category participants completed the race within 2 hours, 12 minutes, and 49 seconds, showcasing strong endurance performances in the rugged trail conditions.
In the women’s veteran category, Jamuna Rai secured first place, Binita Rai came second, and Nirva Rai finished third with a completion time of 3 hours, 29 minutes, and 30 seconds.
Organized to Promote Mundum Trek Tourism
A total of 58 participants competed across open and veteran men’s and women’s categories in the event, which was organized by Rimachung Education and Sports Academy with financial support from Temkemaiyung Rural Municipality.
The race route passed through Chakhewa, Base Camp, Temke, Tawabhanjyang, Panchdhar, and returned to Chakhewa, offering runners a mix of steep climbs, scenic landscapes, and high-altitude terrain.
Boosting Adventure Tourism in Bhojpur
Organizers stated that the trail race aims to promote the natural beauty and tourism potential of the Mundum Trek route in Bhojpur, which has been identified as a priority destination by the Government of Nepal.
According to the organizing committee chair Pavihang Rai, the event is gradually helping position the region as a rising destination for adventure sports and trail running tourism.
Growing Popularity of Trail Running in Eastern Nepal
The increasing participation in the Mundum Monsoon Trail Race reflects the growing popularity of trail running events in eastern Nepal.
Officials believe such events not only encourage sports tourism but also help highlight local culture, geography, and tourism potential to both domestic and international audiences.
