Kathmandu: The Chhayanath Trail Ultra Race 2026 is set to take place on May 16 in Mugu District, aiming to promote adventure tourism and highlight the region’s vast tourism potential.
The event will be organized by Mugum Karmarong Rural Municipality in collaboration with All Nepal Sports Foundation. The announcement was made during a press conference held at the hall of the Nepal Tourism Board on Thursday.
According to organizers, the ultra race is designed to contribute to the overall tourism development of Mugu, including popular destinations like Rara Lake and Chhayanath Temple. The initiative also aims to support infrastructure expansion and strengthen the local economy.
Speaking at the event, Rural Municipality Chairperson Chhiring Kyapre Lama emphasized that tourism will be promoted as a key driver of local economic development. He stated that Mugu is not only a center of natural beauty but also a symbol of Nepal’s tourism potential, adding that the municipality is committed to its sustainable and organized development.
The race will cover approximately 30 kilometers, starting from an altitude of 2,550 meters and reaching up to 4,820 meters at Chhayanath, making it a challenging high-altitude endurance event. Interested participants can apply online to join the competition.
With technical support from the Nepal Adventure Running Federation, the event will also include a 5-kilometer “fun run” to encourage broader participation, along with a separate category for local residents.
Winners of the main 30-kilometer race (men’s and women’s categories) will receive cash prizes, medals, and certificates. The first-place winner will be awarded NPR 200,000, followed by NPR 150,000 for second place, NPR 100,000 for third, NPR 75,000 for fourth, and NPR 50,000 for fifth place. In the local category, first, second, and third-place winners will receive NPR 30,000, NPR 20,000, and NPR 10,000 respectively.
During the press conference, Laxman Gautam, Director at the Nepal Tourism Board, expressed confidence that the event would help establish Mugum Karmarong as a leading destination for adventure sports tourism. He noted that such high-altitude sporting events would promote not only Chhayanath but also the broader Karnali region internationally.
He also emphasized that, given the challenging nature of high-altitude races, all stakeholders must ensure proper safety measures and coordination for the successful arrangement of the event.
