Earlier this year in February, Nepalese mountaineer Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita was announced the winner of National Geographic People’s Choice Adventurer of the Year 2016 award. National Geographic has recently released the names of all the ten nominees who have achieved something extraordinary in exploration, adventure sports, conservation, or humanitarianism; and would be competing for the prestigious award. Trail runner Mira Rai is one of the nominees this year and would be representing Nepal. The 27-year-old would be competing with park protectors Pete McBride and Kevin Fedarko, rock climber Ashima Shairaishi, cave diver Krzysztof, celestial circumnavigators Hokule ‘a Team, Ocean Advocate Shannon Shwitzer Swanson, kayakeyr Semit Lee, paraglider Anntoine Girard, wilderness defender Kristine McDicitt Tompkins and mountaineer Colin Haley for the award.

The online voting has now been opened and one can vote for their favorite nominee everyday through December 16th. The winner will be announced in January next year. You can vote for Rai HERE. Get to know her more HERE.

Featured Picture: Rai wins her first international race at the Sellaronda Trail Running in the Dolomites in 2014.

PHOTOGRAPH BY BIJAN TEHRANIAN