Update November 2024:

In August 2024, Rashila competed in the renowned 100km CCC race at the UTMB – Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc World Series, involving over 6,000 meters of ascent and descent. Her goal was, and still is, to raise funds to plant 2,000 fruit trees in her village in Nepal. She completed the race, though not within her target time, due to extreme heat on the day. Nonetheless, it was a fantastic achievement simply to finish.

Rashila aims to raise funds to plant 2,000 fruit trees in her village through the Juniper Trust's Nepal Evergreen Project. T

Rashila has now reached almost 70% of her fundraising target and has already distributed the first 600 trees in her village. These include a mix of walnut, lychee, mango, avocado, and lemon trees. She hopes to distribute an additional 500 trees in the coming weeks and more as funds become available. However, she still needs to raise a further $800 to complete her mission, which is part of her campaign to reforest Nepal and support poorer villages. This effort is in partnership with the Juniper Trust’s Nepal Evergreen Project.

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Rashila Tamang’s running journey began unexpectedly at age 16 during a Women’s Day race in 2015. Clad in jeans and borrowed shoes, she joined the event thinking it was a rally, only to discover it was a 5-kilometer race. To her surprise, she finished second, right behind Nepal’s trail-running star, Mira Rai. This unexpected success sparked her passion for running.

Growing up in Dhunibesi, a village 21 kilometers west of Kathmandu, Rashila managed heavy household chores from a young age due to her mother’s illness and her sisters’ marriages. This daily routine of carrying loads up and down steep hills unknowingly prepared her for the physical demands of trail running.

After winning a 12-kilometer race at the Himalayan Outdoor Festival following her 10th grade, Rashila began to take running seriously. Over the years, she has built an impressive career, often finishing on the podium at major events like the Everest Marathon, Mustang Trail Race, and the Asia Trail Master in Indonesia. In 2023, she achieved a remarkable second-place finish at The North Face Malaysia Mountain Trail Festival.

For Rashila, the UTMB is more than just a race; it’s a platform to bring global attention to the environmental challenges faced by Nepal. She is driven by a desire to give back to her community and inspire others to take action.

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The Nepal Evergreen Project:

Initiated by the Juniper Trust, this project focuses on reforestation and environmental education in Nepal. It aims to plant trees in deforested areas, promote sustainable farming practices, and educate local communities on the importance of preserving their natural environment. By restoring greenery in these areas, the project hopes to mitigate the effects of climate change, prevent landslides, and improve quality of life for future generations.

Supporting Rashila means contributing not only to her athletic journey but also to her efforts to uplift her community and make a lasting impact in her hometown.

Help Rashila raise $2,000 to plant 2,000 trees in her village in Nepal.