RUN WITH ROSHNI FOUNDATION CELEBRATES 15 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

Run With Roshni Foundation celebrated their 15th Foundation Day on the 12th of Sept, 2026. It was perhaps providence that just as the celebrations were getting underway at Damsang Banquet Hall, Pedong, news arrived that Mr. Bir Bahadur Rai, one of their team members, had won the 25km Malaysia Trail Run, becoming the first Indian to secure a podium finish in the 25km category of the UTMB Series. We congratulate Roshni Rai and team on their incredible 15-years.

For fifteen years, Roshni Rai has worked quietly and tirelessly to build a culture of running in the hills. At a time when very few believed that a runner from this region could stand on an international podium, she came with the vision of sending Gorkha runners to Olympics.

What began as a personal passion for running grew, through her years of effort, into a movement that has given the Darjeeling-Sikkim region some of its finest marathon and trail running talent. Today as running events and running clubs have mushroomed throughout the region, credit must go to Team Run With Roshni for planting these seeds of transformation.

The win by Bir Bahadur Rai is proof that her hard work is bringing real results, and it will not be the last such moment. We congratulate her, and we thank her, for everything she has given to our region and its runners.

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At the Foundation Day celebrations, Dr. G.S. Yonzon, Padma Shree Awardee, graced the occasion as Chief Guest, lending further weight to a celebration that brought together runners, well wishers and guests from across the region.

Mr. Roland Subba, Secretary of the Kalimpong Ultra Marathon Organizing Committee, delivered the welcome address.

Runners who were supported by the Foundation for the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2026 shared their experiences from the race, each one a reminder of how far the Foundation’s support has taken local runners.

A special felicitation was held for Mr. Bikash Bhujel and Mr. Puran Rai, both alumni of SUMI School, Kalimpong, and winners of several local marathons across the Darjeeling-Sikkim region. They were felicitated by their former teacher, Mr. Ganesh Dahal, and the Foundation spoke with pride of having supported both runners in the early stages of their careers, careers that have gone on to bring great credit to the region.

The event also featured speeches from Mr. Amar Subba, known as the Marathon Man of Sikkim, Mr. Ramesh Tamang, Mrs. Mamata Rai, Chief Advisor to the Foundation, Mr. Mingma Sherpa, Founder of Rimbick Fresh, and celebrity runner Mr. Premius Bhutia, each speaking of the Foundation’s role in shaping a generation of runners from these hills.

The Foundation extended its thanks to all the route volunteers who supported the Kalimpong Ultramarathon, run from Pedong to Kuwapani, without whom such events would not be possible.

A short video was screened of the Friendly Group Long Run (FGLR) 2011, a 50km run from Lohapul to Pedong undertaken by Roshni Rai and friends, organised by KSA and PYSA on 1st May 2011. It was this one run, fifteen years ago, that sowed the seed for what would grow into the Foundation we all celebrate today. PYSA representative Mr. Pemba (Chumbay) Bhutia was felicitated on the occasion by Roshni Rai’s parents, a moving tribute to where it all began.

The Foundation also launched the 6th edition of its official newsletter, Hamro Chinhari (Our Identity), priced at ₹150.

Special guests at the event included Ms. Marina Limbu and Dr. Sudha Pradhan, well known bikers from Sikkim.

Mr. Ashoke Tamang, Secretary of the Kalimpong Ultramarathon Organizing Committee, proposed the vote of thanks.

The Foundation closed the evening by thanking all the guests who travelled from Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Lava and Siliguri to be part of the celebration at Damsang Banquet Hall, Pedong. Fifteen years on, and with a fresh podium finish to celebrate, Run With Roshni Foundation stands as proof of what one person’s dedication, and a whole community’s support, can build for the runners of the hills.