The Trailwalker challenge is a race like no other! It’s a 100km running event that takes those brave enough to sign up across the South Downs, UK. It also has to be under thirty hours. The challenge is pretty well known among serving Gurkhas with many regiments sending groups to compete! Till date, the record has been held by the Gurkhas. In 2023, one group came together to challenge that record.
A team of four, Santosh Rai, Prakash Gurung, Padam Kunwor and Kiran Bura Magar, came together as Nepal Run UK team to break the record held by the Gurkhas. The documentary Chasing The Elite Gurkhas is a gripping watch that follows these four runners as they strive to shatter the existing course record of 9 hours and 50 minutes, a feat achieve by the Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistics Regiment in the military category back in 2004.
Directed, filmed and edited by Luv Gurung, the documentary follows the build-up to race day bringing voices of loved ones and the all-important support team. It’s great to hear the perspective of the partners of the runners.
The teams competing for the Trailwalker raise much-needed funds for the Gurkha Welfare Trust. Besides the UK, the race has also taken place in Hong Kong which I blogged about back in 2017.
Enjoy the documentary!
