Celebrating the Success of the 5th Edition of "HOKA Chiang Mai Thailand by UTMB"!

By 09 Δεκ 2024

The 5th edition of "HOKA Chiang Mai Thailand by UTMB" has concluded with remarkable success, leaving an indelible mark on the trail running and global sports community. Formerly known as "Doi Inthanon Thailand by UTMB", this year's event relocated to the freshly opened Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organization Park (PAO Park), a venue that epitomized the seamless integration of nature, culture, and athletic excellence.

 

Half of the PAO Park hosted the stunning Charming Flower Festival, featuring vibrant floral displays with hundreds of species in full bloom. The other half served as the epicenter for the trail running event, creating a unique blend of Thai Lanna cultural heritage and world-class trail running excellence. As the Asia-Pacific Major of the UTMB World Series for the third consecutive year, this year's event welcomed a record-breaking 6,900 runners (+25% from the last edition) from 77 territories to compete across five races: TRANS-INT 160, ELEPHANT 100, HMONG 50, SUTHEP 20, and CHEDI 10.

 

Highlights from the Event


Economic and Sustainability Impact

  • The event generated a significant economic boost to Chiang Mai, with projections exceeding 1 billion Baht (28 million Euros) over the four-day period, encompassing tourism and local consumption.
  • The sustainability roadmap was a resounding success, achieving a target of using 100% biodegradable single-use containers and avoiding non-recyclable materials. This commitment aligns with the Thai government's Net Zero roadmap, as the event progresses toward its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

 

International Collaboration


The event also hosted the 2nd edition of the one-day joint-seminar session with Asia Race Directors, featuring representatives from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Vietnam, and China. Under the theme "Trail Running Outlook", the session showcased international collaboration and shared insights on organizing large-scale trail events.

 

Local Community Recognition


The warm reception from local Chiang Mai communities further highlighted the event's success. The President of Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organization lauded the event, listing it as one of the major weekends in Chiang Mai's annual event calendar.

 

Highlights from the Races


TRANS-INT 160
The 100-mile race offered participants an awe-inspiring journey from the foothills of Doi Inthanon National Park to the summit of Thailand. The route traversed three national parks—Doi Inthanon, Ob Khan, and Doi Suthep-Pui—and featured iconic checkpoints such as Wat Luang Khun Win, Loha Prasat Sri Mueang Pong, Sirithan Waterfall, Ban Hmong Doi Pui, and several hill tribe villages. This year saw a 34% participation rate from elite athletes, showcasing the event's growing global prestige.

 

In the female category, Antonina Iushina (UTMB-Index: 724), competing as an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN), debuted in Thailand with an extraordinary performance, claiming the champion title with a time of 24 hours, 23 minutes, and 52 seconds. She was followed by Lin Chen (UTMB-Index: 743) in second place and Anna Li (UTMB-Index: 737) in third.

In the male category, China dominated the podium, with Canhua Luo (UTMB-Index: 869) emerging victorious with a stellar finish in 20 hours, 25 minutes, and 33 seconds. Second and third places were secured by Ji Duo (UTMB-Index: 893) and Jiaju Zhao (UTMB-Index: 883), respectively.

 

ELEPHANT 100
The 100K loop race, starting and finishing at Chiang Mai PAO Park, took runners through Doi Suthep-Pui National Park and included a spectacular highlight—a passage through the renowned Mae Sa Elephant Camp. Here, participants witnessed the excellence of Thailand's conservation efforts and the symbolic connection to the nation's cultural heritage. This unique feature made the race an unforgettable experience for many. The race saw 907 runners endure a mix of hot daytime conditions and cooler afternoon breezes.

In the female category, Ekaterina Mityaeva (UTMB-Index: 758), an AIN runner, claimed first place with an impressive finish of 11 hours, 30 minutes, and 45 seconds. She was followed by Careth Arnold (UTMB-Index: 712), a US athlete born in Thailand, and Natalia Mastrota (UTMB-Index: 675) in third place.
In the male category, Hui Bai (UTMB-Index: 835) from China delivered an outstanding performance, securing the champion title. Second place was taken by Mengkai Bate (UTMB-Index: 856) from China, with Luke Grenfell-Shaw (UTMB-Index: 880) from Great Britain, the 2024 Hoka Val d'Aran by UTMB 100K champion, rounding out the podium in third.

HMONG 50
The 50K race offered an enchanting loop trail within Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, immersing runners in the unique lifestyles of local hill tribes. A highlight of the race was a passage through the vibrant Hmong market, offering participants a glimpse of the region's rich cultural heritage.This year, there're 2,212 starters (+63%) with a 98% finishing rate. The race concluded in 15 hours, providing an unforgettable journey of 50 kilometers with 2,030 meters of elevation gain.

In the female category, Hau Ha Thi (UTMB-Index: 768), a proud Southeast Asian and elite runner from Vietnam, claimed first place with an outstanding time of 5 hours, 8 minutes, and 31 seconds. She was closely followed by Martyna Mlynarczyk (UTMB-Index: 770) from Poland and Takako Takamura (UTMB-Index: 716) from Japan, with both finishing within a 10-minute window of the champion.

In the male category, Japan's legendary trail runner Rui Ueda (UTMB-Index: 904) displayed remarkable dominance, winning with a time of 4 hours, 21 minutes, and 25 seconds. He was pursued by Guangfu Meng (UTMB-Index: 901), the 2023 ELEPHANT 100 champion from China, and Banglin Fan (UTMB-Index: 829), also from China, who claimed second and third places within five minutes of Ueda's finish.

 

A Celebration of Culture and Community


The 5th edition of "HOKA Chiang Mai Thailand by UTMB" has cemented its position as a premier event in the trail running world, combining athletic excellence, cultural celebration, and sustainability.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all participants, volunteers, sponsors, and the people of Chiang Mai for making this event a resounding success. Stay tuned for more stories and updates as we look forward to an even greater edition next year.

Text Credits: Chiang Mai Thailand by UTMB
Photo Credits: Chiang Mai Thailand by UTMB
Video Credits: Chiang Mai Thailand by UTMB

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