Trail runner Mira Rai, also a brand promoter of ekantipur.com, was named the People’s Choice Adventurer of the Year on Thursday by the National Geographic Channel selecting her over nine other nominees.

After running on some of the world’s most challenging trails and wining several international race events, she has bagged the coveted title. Rai is a former Maoist combatant hailing from the eastern district of Bhojpur.

National Geographic awards adventurers for their extraordinary achievement in exploration, adventure sports, conservation, or humanitarianism field. Mountaineer-turned-humanitarian worker Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita won the title last year.

Rai started her career in sports relatively late. She had joined the Maoist party at the age of 14. She was set free only when she was disqualified during the integration of rebel soldiers into the Nepal Army in 2009. She came to Kathmandu in 2014 when her visa processing for foreign employment in Malaysia was successful.

Her first ultra running experience was when she participated in the Himalayan Outdoor ultra-run, the time when she was oblivious of what ultramarathon is. She won a medal despite having uncomfortable clothes and an improper diet.

Preeti Khatri, a close friend of Rai, said that plans are afoot to attract Nepali runners into ultra running, a little known sport for many Nepalis.

“Mira wants more runners to be given the chance for which she is planning activities so that more people participate in trail running,” said Khatri.

Trail-Running Nepal, a private company that supported Rai in international competitions, has been planning to launch a running series every month to attract athletes.

They plan to start the event from February 18, expecting more than 300 participants to run 11km in Kathmandu.