January 29, 2021
Sunmaya Budha training in Lantau, physically and metaphorically a long way from her home in Nepal. Lloyd Belcher
When Sunmaya Budha’s parents heard on the radio that she came third in a running race, they were extremely surprised.
Their 17-year-old daughter old was supposed to be dutifully studying – after all, she had convinced them to delay arranging her marriage and let her leave the village to get an education. She certainly was not supposed to be running.
Budha was told to return home immediately and get married. Neighbours talked about her scandalous behaviour. But she refused. Alone, with no income and no safety net, she was not stepping off her path to become a professional mountain runner.