Golden Trail Series Final: Mira Rai excited to have the best athletes come to Nepal; hopes to inspire the next generation of girls
- The famous Nepalese runner wants others to have the same opportunities running gave her, as the Golden Trail Series Final comes to Nepal.
Mira Rai is ecstatic that her native country Nepal is hosting the Golden Trail Series (GTS) Final on Friday, and hopes it can help encourage other women to run.
The GTS has seven races across Europe, and one in the US. The top 10 men and top 10 women have been invited to Nepal to run the final 42km race in Annapurna. The list includes famous names such as Spaniard Kilian Jornet, and New Zealander Ruth Croft.
“This is amazing to have the GTS here in Nepal,” Rai said. She was at a training camp with her sponsors, Salomon, three years ago when they asked what they wanted to envision for the future.
“I told them I wanted to see all athletes in Nepal, I want to see them run here. And finally, we are in Nepal to run the final,” she said. “Thanks to all the athletes who accepted to come to Nepal. Historically, this wouldn’t happen, all the grand races don’t happen in Asia. But this coming Friday, it’s going to happen. It’s so exciting.”
The day after the GTS final is the Annapurna 100km and 55km races, where participants will enjoy the spectacular views of the iconic mountain Machapuchare. Despite her excitement for the GTS, Rai is in fact running the 55km race.
Rai burst onto the trail scene a few years ago. She has an incredible story, coming from a poor family in a remote village, her fitness was developed when she carried water up and down a huge hill.