The ATM Qualifier with the highest altitude and in the most remote location of the season: Jumla Rara Ultra in the far west of Nepal is on again this weekend with a strong start list featuring many of the country’s biggest names in trail running. Those who ran Manjushree Trail Race last month can at least already fulfill the minimum requirement of two ATM race finishes during the season to qualify for our Championship Finals in October. And indeed, even the MTR 100 Miles winners Arjun Rai Kulung and Ang Furba Sherpa are scheduled to race between Jumla and Rara this weekend, alongside other favourites such as Gopal Tamang, Dhira Bahadur Budha, Homlal Shehstra, Chandra Rawat, Nirmala Rai, Kalpana Budha, Rajya Laxmi Rawal and MTR 50 sensation Sunsari Rokaya.

The race takes runners from Jumla to Rara across high mountain passes that lead to over 4000 metres above sea level. The finish after 54 tough kilometres is at the majestic Rara lake.

Last year, the race was won by Dhal Bahadur Budha and Kalpana Budha.