Mira Rai: Ordinary Country Life to Extraordinary Ultra Runner

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step – Lao Tzu”

Two years ago, Mira Rai was just another ordinary Nepali girl who grew up in an underprivileged family. A former Maoist child soldier, who sometimes had to starve herself due to poverty, is now running international races in one of the world’s toughest sports – races of 50 km-100 km over mountains – and may be on her way to global stardom. Today, Rai ranks among the world’s leading ultra runners after a record-breaking win in the 80-kilometer (50-mile) Mont Blanc race in Chamonix, France, last June, when she beat her nearest rival by 22 minutes.

Within a short span of time, the Nepali trail runner has inspired and touched lives in powerful ways. Rai has been working hard to give her family a better life. A girl who has outshone along the way and has established herself as an exemplary figure at such young age, Rai truly is a hero.

Lloyd Betcher has beautifully presented the journey of Mira Rai from an ordinary Nepali girl to an international trail runner in his latest masterpiece MIRA- The journey of Nepali Village Girl. The 40-minute documentary has artistically presented different fragments of Rai’s life. Her zeal, determination and hunger to succeed is visible throughout the documentary. The movie captures stunning landscapes of various locations all over the world.

Mira Rai is a role model to young Nepali girls among who she has ignited a ray of hope. Winning the race in one of the world’s toughest sport is not enough for Rai, whose ultimate aspiration is to inspire other young Nepali women like herself. She wants every Nepali woman to get out of her shell and face the real world with confidence. She wants them to explore opportunities and grab them. Sometimes you just have to keep pushing yourself no matter how hard the journey may seem.

The official trailer of the movie is up on youtube and Vimeo. You can even watch the movie on demand on Vimeo.

Look inside yourself because the power is in you. Never let the world take you down. As long as there is life, there is hope.