WATCH: Running in Nepal with Mira Rai

Tyler Courville grew up on an Indian reservation in the United States. When he heard Mira Rai’s story – she grew up in a rural village in Nepal and spent several years as a child solider in the Maoist rebel army before earning her stripes on the international trail running scene –  he felt a sense of connection. He understood what it meant to reach beyond poverty and low expectations, to chase opportunity.

Tyler won a trip to go run with Mira Rai in her home country. This video documents their trip, and tells a little bit of both runners’ stories.

Related: Wild Running in Nepal’s New Mustang Mountain Trail Race