Global ultramarathon series to tackle ‘roof of Thailand’ in Oct
The spectacular sport of ultramarathon mountain running comes to the Land of Smiles this year with elite athletes from around the globe invited to tackle the “roof of Thailand”.
The Thailand by UTMB 2021 will see runners compete in races to the peak of Inthanon mountain in Chiang Mai province from October 28-31. The races will culminate in a gruelling 170-kilometre slog to the summit of Thailand’s tallest peak.
The event, unveiled on Thursday at a Bangkok press conference, is one of 28 races on the 2021 Ultra Trail World Tour Circuit.
The races up Doi Inthanon will immerse runners in local culture, allowing them to experience the peaceful life of the local Hmong, Pga-Gan-Yaw and Karen hilltribes amid cool temperatures and awe-inspiring views of terraced rice paddies, said the press release.
At the press conference, Tourism and Sports Minister Piphat Ratchakitprakarn hailed the success of last year’s Thailand by UTMB and said this year’s event would help boost the local economy and lure back foreign tourists when Covid travel restrictions are eased from July.
Thailand by UTMB offers five races: Inthanon 6 (168km), Inthanon 5 (107km), Inthanon 3 (54km), Inthanon 1 (23 km) and Inthanon 10K (12km). Runners will be racing for iTRA points and Running Stones, giving them chances to earn their place on the start line at the UTMB Mont-Blanc in France, the pinnacle event of the trail running year.
