The North Face 100® - Thailand

Credit : The North Face 100® Thailand NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand – Almost 3,900 trail runners lined up for the eighth edition of The North Face 100® Thailand in what was a record turnout for Thailand’s top trail running event. Representing more than 30 countries, the intrepid runners competed across five distances – 15km, 25km, 50km, 75km and the iconic 100km, from which the event gets its name – in Pakchong District of Nakhon Ratchasima province on Saturday 26th January, 2019. Increased elevation for all distances has made the popular course even more challenging and the tough cut-off times for the ultra distances (50km, 75km and 100km) have seen runners dub the course a “fast 100km”, which this year was underscored by a high DNF rate for the ultra distances. A bumper field of 1,420 runners running the 50km, 75km and 100km included a number or returning winners with Thai stars Jay Jantaraboon and Sanya Khanchai (100km winner, 2013, 2014) going head-to-head in the 100km while The North Face Athlete Vlad Ixel (100km winner 2014, 50km winner 2016) and last year’s 100km winner, David Emch (USA), both competing in the 50km. 2,486 runners competed in the 15km and 25km including many first-time trail runners underscoring the popularity of the sport in Thailand. 100km Distance Jay Jantaraboon (THA) set a blistering pace leading the male 100km field through the 20km 10 minutes ahead of Sanya Khanchai (THA) in second, and Atthapol Intajak (THA) in third, while last year’s second place finisher, Kristian Morgan (GBR), was in fifth. At the half way point the order was Jantaraboon, Khanchai, Intajak and Morgan. Despite twisting his ankle, Morgan was on a mission and by 62km Morgan had moved into second and was set on chasing down Jantaraboon. However, he was to remain the bridesmaid, having finished second in 2018 and again this year. Jantaraboon managed to extend his lead finishing in a time of 09:55:40 with Morgan in second. Intajak got the better of Khanchai in the last 20km and finished third overall. Thai runners put in a good showing in the female 100km but it was American Charlyn Holden who claimed the win in 15:03:23, ahead of Duangruethai Pakdeevanissukho (THA) and Uthaiwan Khunothai (THA). 75km Distance A little over a minute separated the top two in the men’s 75km field. Closely tracking each other around the course, it was Narin Keawsompak (THA) who managed to create a one minute gap and take the title ahead of Wai Kin Lee with Niti Lertritsirikul (THA) further back in third. Mikae Nishiuchi (JPN) dominated the women’s field with a strong performance to win the 2019 75km title ahead of Kanokkorn Vitesakan (THA) in second and Jennilea Hortop (CAN) in third. 50km Distance Vlad Ixel (AUS) got off to a flying start in the men’s 50km and within the first 11km had already put four minutes between him and his nearest rival. He continued to stretch out a lead finishing clear of the field in a time of 04:33:07. Paul Dunn (GBR) held off some stiff competition to place second ahead of Chinese runner, Wai Hei Ng. Speaking after the race, Ixel said “The course has got better each year. This year it was much tougher and it was excellent. Thailand deserves a course like this. Congratulations to the race organisers on a good job.” In the women’s division, Thai runner Phitchanan Mahachot, put on a masterclass. Having won the 100km in 2017, this year she opted for the 50km and there was no doubting her speed, finishing in a fast time of 05:21:07, 30 minutes ahead of second placer Monika Lidia Jablonska (POL). Xiomara Templeton from (USA) finished in third. 25km Distance The cool weather saw some close racing in both the men and women’s 25km divisions. Ponsin Fookammerd (THA) got the better of Marcus Down (CAN) and Witchawat Burapavong (THA) who placed second and third respectively while in the women’s division just seconds separated second place finisher Sirikamon Watcharaseemanan (THA) and Sophie Mazieres (FRA), with Lindsay Nickel (USA) setting a blistering pace finishing in 02:42:46. 15km Distance Romain Chevalier (FRA) got off to a fast start in the 15km men and never looked back, beating last year’s winning time and finishing the course in a time of 01:13:55. Less than two minutes back, was Labhon Rakchart (THA) in a time of 01:15:29 with Wasan Ratana-Aporn (THA) in third. In the women’s race it was close at the front with Sabrina Gatti (FRA) edging out Torill Haga Olufsen (NOR) by less than 30 seconds with Pornuma Onnoum (THA) placing third. For the full results, visit www.sportstats.asia. Debuting for the first time at The North Face 100® Thailand was The North Face Thailand Team, which included Pakawas Mangkang (100km), Pavadee Pachariyanon (50km), Patarada Thanachan (25km), Sophon Poowapattaraporn (25km) and Pakanee Burutphakdee (25km). Launched in 2012 in Amphawa, The North Face 100® Thailand is part of The North Face 100® Asia Pacific Series and was the first 100km trail event in Thailand. Since its launch, the event has welcomed 19,000 runners across all distances. The 50km, 75km and 100km distances are recognised by International Trail-Running Association (ITRA) and are official Qualifying Events for the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc®.

Credit : The North Face 100® – Thailand New tougher course challenges 2,700 runners from 50 countries NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand – A cool weather front over Thailand’s Northeast provided perfect conditions for The North Face 100® Thailand 2018 in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Pak Chong district at the weekend when 2,700 athletes from 50 countries competed across five distances – 15km, 25km, 50km, 75km and 100km – on a challenging and hilly course in the surrounds of Khao Yai National Park with increased elevation for all distances. The iconic 100km distance saw 287 runners on the startline for a 5am gun start. Thailand’s two-timer winner Sanya Khanchai did the early running but at the 36km mark was overtaken by David Emch (USA) who then set a blistering pace over the remainder of the course. Kristian Morgan (GBR) returned determine to beat his third place from last year, and over the second 50km loop took time out of the leaders finishing second overall, less than two minutes behind Emch whose final time was 09:46:37. Quang Tran (VNM), winner of the 2017 Vietnam Mountain Marathon (100km) rounded out the male podium with Khanchai having to settle for fourth. Credit : The North Face 100® – Thailand Carole Fuchs (FRA) lead from start to finish to dominate a women’s field packed with international talent and past champions, and smashed the course record by more than 40 minutes, finishing in a time of 10:21:58. Almost two hours back was new talent Wipawee Pratumsuwan (THA) who was racing her first ever 100km ultra. Kazumi Kawamoto (JPN) finished third. Petr Novotny (CZE) was running second to Edgar Puruganan (PHL) in the early stage of the men’s 75km race but after Split 2 found an extra gear to take the lead which he never gave-up, crossing the line first in 07:32:06. Keisuke Endo (JPN) finished second with Edgar Puruganan in third. Having won the 50km in 2015 and 2016, and stepping up to win the 75km in 2017, Naomi Imaizumi (JPN) was back to defend her title and did so resoundingly with a finish time of 08:17:29, two hours ahead of Kanokkorn Vitesakan (THA) and Kristi Wollbrink (USA) in third. John Ray Onifa (PHL) lead the 50km field from start to finish, crossing the line in a time of 04:01:50. Up against some top male ultra runners including Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon Race past winner Daved Simpat (MAS), who ultimately finished third behind Ivan Vlasenko (RUS) in second, Onifa’s win was all the more impressive. Despite a strong line-up, Thailand-based Polish ultra-runner, Monika Jablonska won the women’s 50km division by almost 25 minutes from Naomi Henshall (AUS) in second and Caroline Goransson (SWE) in third. The caliber of runners this year was higher than ever and with increased international participation a number of the top places went to overseas runners. However, in the 25km division it was Thai super-climber, Jantaraboon Kiangchaipaiphana, who revelled on the mountainous course and despite a niggling injury ran away with the title in a time of 01:58:25. Second place went to Juanico Coli Chepeda (IDN) with Thailand-based Blair McBride (CAN) in third. Credit : The North Face 100® – Thailand A close race in the women’s 25km saw a trio of Americans on the podium. Hannah Larson managed to stretch out a two minute lead and held on for the win in 02:25:38 ahead of Xiomara Templeton in second and Keesha Archard in third. Reza Rebuan (MAS) set a blistering pace over the tough 15km course finishing in 01:18:55 while Wasan Ratana-Aporn (THA) claimed second just 10 seconds ahead of Hong Kong’s Man Lit Ho. In the women’s division it was Juliana Perera (USA) who secured victory ahead of Guek Hoon Neo (SIN) in second and Pennurat Nonsawat (THA) third. Top three results: 100km (men) 1) David Emch (09:46:37) 2) Kristian Morgan (09:48:30) 3) Quang Tran (09:56:36) 100km (women) 1) Carole Fuchs (10:21:58) 2) Wipawee Pratumsuwan (12:18:24) 3) Kazumi Kawamoto (12:56:01) 75km (men) 1) Petr Novotny (07:32:06) 2) Keisuke Endo (07:46:12) 3) Edgar Puruganan (08:07:43) 75km (women) 1) Naomi Imaizumi (08:17:29) 2) Kanokkorn Vitesakan (10:15:37) 3) Kristi Wollbrink (11:12:56) 50km (men) 1) John Ray Onifa (04:01:50) 2) Ivan Vlasenko (04:10:48) 3) Daved Simpat (04:11:22) 50km (women) 1) Monika Jablonska (05:48:13) 2) Naomi Henshall (06:12:06) 3) Caroline Goransson (06:16:29) 25km (men) 1) Jantaraboon Kiangchaipaiphan (01:58:25) 2) Juanico Coli Chepeda (02:14:23) 3) Blair McBride (02:23:31) 25km (women) 1) Hannah Larson (02:25:38) 2) Xiomara Templeton (02:27:50) 3) Keesha Archard (02:33:44) 15km (men) 1) Reza Rebuan (01:18:55) 2) Wasan Ratana-Aporn (01:19:06) 3) Man Lit Ho (01:19:17) 15km (women) 1) Juliana Perera (01:32:54) 2) Guek Hoon Neo (01:34:28) 3) Pennurat Nonsawat (01:34:28) 
For the full results, visit www.sportstats.asia. Thailand’s Ultimate Trail Running Challenge, The North Face 100® Thailand attracts runners from around the world each year and has over the last seven years helped to put Thailand on the map as a top trail-running destination in Asia.

Credit : North Face 100® Thailand Harry Jones (GBR) and Phitchanan Mahachot (THA) winners of male and female 100km. BANGKOK, Thailand – A record line-up of 3,200 athletes from around the world took part in The North Face 100® Thailand 2017 on 4th February in Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima. Launched in 2012 when trail running was a little known sport in the country, the event has since grown to become the largest of its kind and is part of the annual Asia Pacific Series. Tough conditions with temperatures exceeding 36 degrees centigrade during the day made for a challenging event for all runners across the five distances – 15km, 25km, 50km, 75km and 100km. With 1,144 runners competing in the ultra distances (50km, 75km, 100km) this year, Thailand’s hopes were pinned on Sanya Khanchai (2013, 2014 winner) and Jantaraboon Kiangchaipaiphana in the 100km. Following a break out performance just three weeks before at the Hong Kong 100 Ultra Trail® Race – one of the signature events on the Ultra-Trail® World Tour – where he finished seventh in his first ever solo 100km, Jantaraboon put in an excellent performance at The North Face 100® Thailand to finish second behind Chiang Mai-based Harry Jones (GBR) who claimed the 100km title in a time of 09h 26m 24s. Sanya finished a credible sixth in a field of top talent from 21 countries. In the female division it was a close race for the top spot between Phitchanan Mahachot (THA) and Kylie Ayson (NZL). Previously based in Hong Kong and having trained on the mountainous trails there, Kylie pushed Phitchanan hard but in the searing heat it was the Thai athlete who crossed the line first in a time of 12h 34mins 26secs, with the fast finishing Kylie less than 10 minutes behind. Following 50km wins in 2015 and 2016, Naomi Imaizumi (JPN) stepped up to 75km – new for The North Face 100® Thailand 2017 – this year and asserted her authority again, romping home with a winning margin of more than three hours while Jisub Kim (KOR) placed first in the men’s field in a time of 06h 54m 25s. Another breakout performance, this time for Sunimit Ngandee (THA) – training partner of Jantaraboon – competing for the first time at The North Face 100® Thailand, Sunimit took home the 50km title against a top international field. In the female division, Thailand-based Carole Fuchs – also competing for the first time at The North Face 100® Thailand – delivered a crushing performance, finishing one hour ahead of her nearest rival and second overall – less than one minute behind the male winner! The largest fields of competitors were the 25km and 15km distances with 1,137 and 930 runners respectively. Split into waves, there was camaraderie on the trails and some close racing across all the age group categories. In the 25km it was Kritsada Narasavat (THA) and Shiu Yan Leanne Szeto (HKG) who took home the overall male and female titles while Sarawut Ngamsri and Chalita Chuleekeitl won the overall male and female titles in the 15km. Considered Thailand’s Ultimate Trail Running Challenge, The North Face 100® Thailand attracts runners from all over the world each year and has put Thailand on the map as a top trail-running destination in Asia. For more information, visit www.TheNorthFaceThailand.com, or www.facebook.com/TNF100Thailand. Full results are available at www.sportstats.asia. §staticmap(10488,5,800,200)