Chhayanath Trail / Ultra 2026 is set to welcome 76 registered runners to the mountains of Mugu for the 33KM high-altitude trail race. The final player field includes 64 male participants and 12 female participants, bringing together local runners, emerging athletes, and experienced national competitors
The race brings athletes to one of Nepal’s most powerful Himalayan destinations, a region known for high mountains, ancient pilgrimage routes, remote villages, deep cultural identity, and natural landmarks and Reach at 4820m high to the gods.
First Edition of chhayanath ultra
The 33KM Ultra has received 76 registered players, with 64 male runners and 12 female runners. The field brings together athletes from Mugu, Jumla, Humla, Kalikot, Kathmandu, Solukhumbu, Sankhuwasabha, Rukum, Kailali, Khotang, Pyuthan, Bhaktapur, Ramechhap and other districts.
Among the registered runners, 24 players are past ITRA trail race finishers.
Elite Runner to Watch
Man Kumar Magar Roka
Man Kumar Magar Roka enters the race as one of the highest-rated athletes in the field. He carries an ITRA Performance Index of 849 and has 30 previous recorded race finishes.
His ITRA badge profile shows experience across several levels, including ITRA 2, ITRA 3, ITRA 4 and ITRA 5. This indicates a runner who has repeatedly competed in demanding trail environments.
For a race like Chhayanath, that experience matters. The course is not only about speed. It will require climbing strength, smart pacing, altitude control, and technical confidence. Man Kumar’s record makes him one of the leading male athletes to watch.
Arjun Rai Kulung
Arjun Rai Kulung is another major name in the Elite category. He has an ITRA Performance Index of 838 and 22 previous recorded race finishes.
His profile is especially strong because he has earned badges across multiple levels, including ITRA 6, the highest badge level visible among the current player data.
Sunmaya Budha
Sunmaya Budha is the leading female athlete in the Elite group and one of the most experienced runners in the entire field. She carries an ITRA Performance Index of 807 and has 42 previous recorded race finishes, the highest race count among the visible ITRA-profiled runners.
Her badge history includes repeated finishes across several levels, including ITRA 2, ITRA 3, ITRA 4 and ITRA 5. This gives her one of the strongest overall profiles in the race.
Sunmaya’s presence is important not only for the women’s competition but for the event as a whole. She represents the level of experience and professionalism that can inspire new runners, especially young female athletes from mountain regions.
Expert Runners to Watch
Dal Bahadur Kunwar
Dal Bahadur Kunwar is one of the strongest Expert-ranked runners in the field. His ITRA Performance Index is 822, placing him very close to the Elite-level athletes by performance score.
He has 6 previous recorded race finishes and badge records that include ITRA 3 and ITRA 5 levels. His profile suggests strong competitive ability and experience in demanding trail races.
Dal Bahadur is one of the runners who could influence the overall men’s race if he manages the altitude and terrain well.
Ramesh Limbu
Ramesh Limbu adds another strong name to the Expert field. He carries an ITRA Performance Index of 781 and has 3 previous recorded race finishes, placing him among the more competitive runners in the event.
His endurance badge record includes ITRA 2 x1 and ITRA 3 x2. This shows that he has already completed trail races at and above the ITRA 2 level.
Dhira Bahadhur Budha
Dhira Bahadhur Budha enters the race with an ITRA Performance Index of 773 and 6 previous recorded race finishes.
His badge history includes multiple ITRA 3 records and one ITRA 5 badge. This shows that he has already completed races above basic trail participation level.
Nirmala Rai
Nirmala Rai adds another strong female presence to the Expert category. She carries an ITRA Performance Index of 675 and has 7 previous recorded race finishes, giving her one of the stronger competitive profiles in the women’s field.
Her endurance badge record includes two ITRA 6 badges make her one of the more decorated female runners in the current field, and a notable athlete to watch at Chhayanath Trail / Ultra 2026.
Rammaya Budha
Rammaya Budha is part of the female Expert group. She has an ITRA Performance Index of 666 and one previous recorded race finish.
Her ITRA 2 badge places her directly within the level of this race category. As a young female athlete, she adds important depth to the women’s field and represents the next generation of competitive mountain runners.
Manju Rawat
Manju Rawat has an ITRA Performance Index of 654 and 5 previous recorded race finishes. Her profile includes multiple ITRA 3 badge records, showing consistent experience in trail running.
Consistency is valuable in a race like Chhayanath. The route will demand patience, discipline, and the ability to keep moving efficiently through difficult sections. Manju’s race record shows that she has already built that foundation.
Ang Furba Sherpa
Ang Furba Sherpa is one of the most exciting female athletes in the field. She carries an ITRA Performance Index of 636 and has 12 previous recorded race finishes.
Her badge record includes multiple levels, including ITRA 4, ITRA 5 and ITRA 6. This makes her one of the most experienced female runners in the visible ITRA group.
Ang Furba’s profile shows both youth and experience, a rare combination. She is one of the key female athletes to watch at Chhayanath Trail / Ultra 2026.
Advanced-Ranked Runners
The Advanced group is the largest ITRA-ranked section of the field. These runners bring strong competitive depth and may play a major role in shaping the race behind the leaders.
Chandra Rawat
Chandra Rawat has an ITRA Performance Index of 718 and 4 previous recorded race finishes. He is one of the strongest Advanced-ranked athletes in the field.
His badge history includes repeated ITRA 3 records, showing consistent trail-running experience. With a strong performance score, Chandra could be one of the athletes capable of moving close to the Expert-level group during the race.
Krishana Raj Rokaya
Krishana Raj Rokaya carries an ITRA Performance Index of 675 and has 2 previous recorded race finishes.
His badge record includes ITRA 2 and ITRA 3 levels. This suggests a developing but already competitive profile. On race day, he may be one of the runners who adds pressure in the middle-front section of the field.
Himal Kunwar
Himal Kunwar has an ITRA Performance Index of 669 and one previous recorded race finish with an ITRA 3 badge.
Even with limited recorded race history, his performance score is strong. That makes him a runner to watch among the Advanced group.
Akkal Badhuwal
Akkal Badhuwal enters with an ITRA Performance Index of 643 and 2 previous recorded race finishes.
His badge record includes ITRA 2 and ITRA 3 levels. This gives him useful experience for an ITRA 2 event and places him among the stronger middle-field competitors.
Bala Bhandari
Bala Bhandari has an ITRA Performance Index of 627 and one previous recorded race finish with an ITRA 3 badge.
His profile shows that he has already completed a meaningful trail challenge and brings verified experience into the race.
Sudarshan Gurung
Sudarshan Gurung has an ITRA Performance Index of 585 and 3 previous recorded race finishes.
His badge profile is notable because it includes ITRA 4 and ITRA 5 levels. That means he has experience with races that demand more endurance and trail maturity. He may not have the highest performance score in the field, but his badge history shows he should not be underestimated.
Sandeva Budha
Sandeva Budha is listed with an ITRA Performance Index of 555 and one previous race finish with an ITRA 2 badge.
Her profile connects directly with the race category and adds depth to the women’s ranked field.
Ganana Bhandari
Ganana Bhandari has an ITRA Performance Index of 543 and 2 previous recorded race finishes.
Her badge history includes ITRA 2 and ITRA 3 levels. She is part of the young female competitive group and represents the growing presence of women in Nepal’s trail-running scene.
Mimu Budha
Mimu Budha has an ITRA Performance Index of 517 and one previous recorded race finish with an ITRA 3 badge.
She adds another promising female profile to the Advanced group and strengthens the women’s race beyond only the top-ranked names.
Intermediate-Ranked Runners
The Intermediate group includes runners with verified ITRA profiles and previous race experience, even if their performance scores are lower than the Elite, Expert and Advanced groups.
Hariman Bhandari
Hariman Bhandari has an ITRA Performance Index of 534 and one previous recorded race finish with an ITRA 3 badge.
His profile shows that he has already completed a serious trail event and enters Chhayanath with verified race experience.
Ajaya Tamang
Ajaya Tamang has an ITRA Performance Index of 495 and 3 previous recorded race finishes.
His badge history includes ITRA 1, ITRA 2 and ITRA 4 levels. This shows a wider range of trail-running experience than his performance score alone may suggest.
Yuvraj Gurung
Yuvraj Gurung carries an ITRA Performance Index of 465 and has one previous recorded race finish.
His badge record includes ITRA 1 and ITRA 3 levels. He represents the kind of runner who may continue building a stronger trail profile through events like Chhayanath.
Nirmal Lamsal
Nirmal Lamsal has an ITRA Performance Index of 454 and 3 previous recorded race finishes.
His badge history is especially interesting because it includes ITRA 5 and ITRA 6 levels. This suggests that, while his current performance index is lower than some other athletes, he has experience with demanding endurance races.
Yan Rai
Yan Rai has an ITRA Performance Index of 413 and one previous recorded race finish with an ITRA 3 badge.
Local and Regional Participation
One of the most important stories of Chhayanath Trail / Ultra 2026 is local participation.
Many registered players come from Mugum Karmarong Rural Municipality, Chhayanath Rara Municipality, and surrounding Karnali districts. This gives the race a strong local identity.
For local runners, the race is a chance to compete on home terrain. For visiting runners, it is a chance to discover a part of Nepal that remains far less explored than the commercial trekking routes of the east and central Himalayas.
This is where sports tourism becomes powerful.
When athletes travel to Mugu, they do not only run. They stay, eat, meet local communities, experience local culture, and share the story of the region through photos, videos, social media and word of mouth. Over time, this can help build Mugu’s image as a destination for trail running, trekking, pilgrimage, adventure, and cultural travel.
With 76 registered runners, including 64 male participants and 12 female participants, Chhayanath Trail / Ultra 2026 begins with a strong and meaningful field.
The race includes experienced ITRA-profiled athletes, national-level trail runners, local participants, young runners, senior endurance athletes and a growing women’s field. Together, they represent the spirit of this event: competition, courage, discovery and respect for the sacred Himalayan landscape.
This first edition is an important step for Mugu and Karnali. It introduces Chhayanath not only as a place of faith, but also as a destination for endurance, adventure and sports tourism.
On race day, every runner will carry their own goal. Some will race for the podium. Some will race to finish. Some will race to represent their village, their district, or their personal journey.
But together, they will tell one story to the world:
Chhayanath is ready.
Mugu is ready.
Karnali is ready.
Run where gods reside.