The Everest Trail Race by Tuga kicked off with a strong performance from local athletes in the opening 23 km stage. Dal B. Kunwar and Chhoki Sherpa claimed commanding victories in the men's and women's categories, respectively.

In the men's race, Kunwar, runner-up in 2023, set a fast pace from the start and finished 19 minutes ahead of Abel Carretero (OTSO) in second place and Manuel Vela in third. The stage, designed as an introduction to altitude, ended close to 3,500 meters and was marked with biodegradable paint to minimize environmental impact.

In the women's category, Chhoki Sherpa led from start to finish, followed by Humi Budha, 14 minutes behind. Portugal’s Ester S. Alves was the first Western runner to reach the finish, placing third.

Tomorrow’s second stage will cover 27 km from Chyangsyngma to Ringmo, featuring a demanding initial climb to Pike Peak (4,046 m), followed by a long, technical descent through dense forest. The first aid station will be located at kilometer 6.5 due to the scarcity of natural resources along the route.

The Everest Trail Race by Tuga continues to establish itself as one of the most spectacular and demanding multi-stage mountain races in the world.