Nepali Runners Honoured in Bangkok for Historic Success at UTMB Thailand Trail Run
Thailand — The Embassy of Nepal in Bangkok recently hosted a special felicitation program to honour two Nepali runners who achieved remarkable success at the internationally renowned trail running event “100 KM Chiang Mai Thailand by UTMB.”
The race, held last week in Chiang Mai—one of Thailand’s most famous adventure and eco-tourism destinations—was organized under the prestigious Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) Series, widely regarded as one of the world’s most challenging and elite ultra-trail running competitions. The event tested athletes across rugged mountainous terrain, dense forests, steep ascents and descents, and demanding natural landscapes, attracting seasoned professional runners from across the globe.
In the highly competitive 100-kilometer ultra trail, Nepali female runner Ms. Sanmaya Budha from Jumla district secured an outstanding fourth position, bringing international recognition and pride to Nepal. Similarly, her younger sister Ms. Runmaya Budha delivered an impressive performance in the 50-kilometer trail, finishing in seventh place and further showcasing Nepal’s growing strength in endurance running.
To acknowledge this historic achievement, the Embassy of Nepal in Bangkok organized a formal honouring ceremony, where Ms. Sanmaya Budha shared her deeply inspiring journey—speaking about growing up in Jumla’s remote terrain, overcoming hardship, sustaining relentless discipline in training, and believing in herself despite limited resources. Her story moved and motivated everyone present.
During the ceremony, Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Moti Bahadur Shris congratulated both athletes and formally honoured them with khadas and tokens of appreciation. He emphasized that such international sporting achievements play a vital role in elevating Nepal’s image on the global stage and reaffirmed the Embassy’s continued commitment to supporting Nepali talent abroad. He also highlighted the Embassy’s upcoming initiative, the Lumbini Nepal Mini Marathon.
The event was attended by Embassy officials, representatives from the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), the Thai–Nepali Association, members of various organizations, and around 25 members of the Nepali community residing in Thailand from diverse professional backgrounds.
Adding to the encouragement, Mr. Kumar Karki, former President of the Thai–Nepali Association, announced a cash contribution of NPR 100,000 in support of the athletes. Other attendees and NRNA representatives also pledged financial and moral support to further encourage Nepali runners.
The program was widely appreciated for not only celebrating international sporting excellence but also for strengthening unity, pride, and inspiration within the Nepali community abroad.
