Namchi/Salgari: Professional trail runner Bir Bahadur Rai from Salgari in Namchi district has become the first Indian to finish on the podium in the 25-kilometre category of the Malaysia Ultra-Trail by UTMB (MY25), organisers and reports said on Saturday.
Historic podium on a demanding rainforest route
Rai completed the challenging 25.9 km course at Jalan Kota in Taiping, Perak, in 2 hours 25 minutes, negotiating an elevation gain of about 1,012 metres through Malaysian rainforest terrain. The MY25 is part of the UTMB World Series, a global trail-running circuit whose races award Running Stones that help athletes qualify for the prestigious UTMB Mont-Blanc finals in Chamonix.
The achievement has been described by state leadership and the local trail-running community as a major breakthrough for Indian mountain running, and it raises the profile of Sikkim as a training ground for endurance athletes.
“A proud moment for the state and its growing trail-running community,” Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said, congratulating Rai on the feat.
Regional runners show strong presence
Rai competed alongside a strong contingent from the Himalayan region. Som Bahadur Thami and Hemant Limboo of Darjeeling finished fourth and fifth respectively in the same category, rounding off an impressive showing by runners from Sikkim and neighbouring areas. All three represented the Gorkha Trail Runners Club, a UTMB-registered club with notable presence across Sikkim and Darjeeling.
- Athlete: Bir Bahadur Rai (Salgari, Namchi)
- Event: Malaysia Ultra-Trail by UTMB (MY25)
- Distance / Elevation: 25.9 km / ~1,012 m gain
- Finish time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Significance: First Indian to secure a podium finish in MY25
What the result means
Because MY25 is included in the UTMB World Series, performances there contribute to an athlete’s international standing and ability to earn Running Stones — the points-based mechanism used for qualification to the UTMB Mont-Blanc finals. Rai’s podium placing therefore not only brings recognition to Sikkim’s trail-running community but also adds valuable credentials toward future international entries and qualifications.
Local observers said the result could inspire more Himalayan runners to target the UTMB circuit and similar international trail events, where familiarity with technical ascents, descents and high-humidity conditions is advantageous.
Technical summary
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | Malaysia Ultra-Trail by UTMB (MY25) |
| Course | Jalan Kota, Taiping, Perak — rainforest terrain |
| Distance | 25.9 km |
| Elevation gain | ~1,012 metres |
| Rai's time | 2 hours 25 minutes |
Local reaction and next steps
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang congratulated Rai, calling the result a proud moment for the state and its growing trail-running fraternity. Sports enthusiasts and running clubs in Sikkim are expected to highlight Rai’s performance as a case study in training for humid, technical courses away from the high Himalaya.
Rai’s performance also drew attention to the Gorkha Trail Runners Club, which fielded multiple finishers in the top ranks of the MY25. The club’s UTMB registration gives its members access to international events under the World Series umbrella and helps athletes accumulate the Running Stones needed for UTMB Mont-Blanc qualification.
While immediate plans for Rai were not disclosed in the reports, the result places him and his regional peers in stronger contention for selection and invitations to other international trail races that form part of the UTMB World Series calendar.
For Sikkim, the milestone is likely to spark renewed interest in trail and mountain running as competitive pursuits, complementing the state’s established reputation for producing endurance athletes suited to steep terrain and high-altitude training.
