Tamang wins Asia Trail Master women’s title

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 4: Ultra -runner Rashila Tamang became the first Nepali to win the Asia Trail Master (ATM) women’s champion held in Indonesia. Tamang completed the 77km run in 12 hours 25 minutes and 52 seconds in the final at Siksorogo Lawu Ultra 77-kilometre held in Central Java on Saturday.

According to the ATM, after the ascent and descent of Gunung Lawu, Nepal’s Rashila Tamang appeared first at the aid station 12 minutes ahead of Vanja Cnops, a Belgian runner.

She had overtaken Cnops while descending Mount Lawu. Cnops finished the race with a time of 12 hour 32 minutes and 16 seconds. Angeie Cabalo of Phillipines came in third position with a time 14 hours 3 minutes 37 seconds.

The ATM Final was held on the main 77 km race course including the ascent and descent of Gunung Lawu, of which the summit was at 3,265 meters above sea level. Total elevation gain for the runners was estimated at over 5,000 hm.

“It was an amazing experience to be part of and winning Asian Trail Master (ATM) 2023. Despite the incessant rain, I was overjoyed by the beautiful landscape and trail inside the lust forest,” Tamang said in her Instagram after the win.

Meanwhile, Tamang was not the only Nepali runner in the tournament. Chhoki Sherpa also participated in the championship.

Before taking part in the Siksorogo Lawu Ultra 77-kilometre of the ATM, she had participated in two other tournaments – 50km / Koboi Malaya Trail Classic and 50km/Malaysia Mountain Trail Festival – of the ATM in 2023.

Tamang secured the first position in the women's category at the Koboi Malaya Trail Classic. She also secured the second position in the women’s category and 14th position in the overall category at the Malaysia Mountain Trail Festival.