I’ve been running all my life

Twenty-four-year-old international marathon champion Mira Rai says she couldn't be a happier woman today. After her extraordinary skills in ultra running earned her national and international fame, she's content with the fact that now she at least has enough 'balance' to take care of her diet, and sponsor education of her younger siblings.

"When I came to Kathmandu 15 months back, life was hard. I didn't have much to feed the athlete in me," she says, smiling.


Currently preparing for the upcoming Buffalo Stampede, a Skyrunning challenge to be held in Australia in April this year, and excited about participating in the Himalayan Outdoor Festival being held on Saturday (March 21), Mira, originally from the remote village of Sano Dumma in Bhojpur District, tells

Republica's Poonam Maharjan that she's been running all her life.

"I had to run to and fro school that was situated downhill at a distance of about 50 minutes from home. I had to run up and down the hills to fetch drinking water for my family. I had to carry sacks of rice to sell in the market. I had to run to keep myself fit while I was a Maoist combatant. And today I run to make a name for myself and my country," she says.

A short film titled 'Mira Rai' is also being made to document her struggles and achievements.

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