By Rebecca Tolkoff
Julie Morrill and I set our alarms for 5:30 am one morning to interview one of our personal heroines, Mira Rai, a 31-year old professional trail runner from Nepal. While chatting with her, we could not help but mimic her infectious and magical smile. Her joy comes from within. Perhaps she was born with it or perhaps it is born from the deep satisfaction she finds in providing athletic futures for many young women in Nepal. Her determination has brought her success both in running the Himalayas and in fighting economic and social adversity. Mira has always had a drive to do something meaningful and big with her life.
Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world, and despite a recent shift from monarchy to democracy, women face systematic discrimination and low political and economic status. Nepali women have rarely been professional athletes. In fact, Mira Rai did not know trail running was a sport when she was young. Now, she works hard to change how Nepali girls and women see themselves. She created a program that will advance both the idea that Nepali women can be athletes and that they can be wage earners for themselves and their families. Many girls are married by the age of 16, leaving their role in society limited to wife and mother. The Mira Rai Initiative gives girls athletic training, education, and professional development in hope that they will create a life beyond their local village.
Mira spent her youth working on her family's farm. She "danced" over the mountain trails to collect water for the family and grasses to feed livestock. She would often race against (and beat) her friends running back to the village. At age 14, moved by a conviction to leave the mundane life in the village and seek something more, she left home to join the Maoist insurgency. She learned how to keep her body fit, how to fight, and how defend herself. Post-war, she traveled to Kathmandu to continue training in karate (she is now a black belt). She ran to keep herself fit and because it brought her joy.
Mira’s fame as a trail runner happened a bit by chance. After meeting some runners, they invited her to join them the next day. Little did she know, they were running the 50km Himalayan Outdoor Festival trail race. Without proper nutrition, hydration, or gear, she placed first in the race and won a cash prize. Mira soon began training with Trail Running Nepal and went on to travel internationally for races. Among her wins are the Mont-Blanc 80km race in 2015 and the 120km Ben Nevis Ultra in Scotland in 2017. She continues to train at a high level with her coaches in Nepal today. She is natural "Skyrunner" and runs fearlessly over the most elevated and treacherous terrain.
Mira after winning the 2017 Ben Nevis Ultra
Photo: James Mackeddie
Mira Rai is changing the way Nepali girls see themselves in society. Through the Mira Rai Initiative, Nepali girls are training for and entering trail races, learning English, and becoming certified as trekking guides. Women around the world are inspired by her, as well. Mira lives her life as the truest version of herself: she lives her values and lifts up the lives of the women around her. The trail running world will be impacted for generations to come. We thank Mira Rai for her time, and we hope to one day be able to run at altitude with her in Nepal. We encourage you to learn more about the Mira Rai Initiative at: www.MiraRaiInitiative.org.
Check out our full interview with Mira Rai. Mira talks about her love of “dancing” along the trails as a “smiling, happy” child growing up on a farm in rural Nepal and how that turned into an unlikely career as a trail runner and how she became a Salomon sponsored athlete.
Mira loves sharing her passion for running with the next generation and talks about her Mira Rai Initiative to promote running and education among young Nepali women and girls.
Full Interview with Mira Rai