BANGKOK, Thailand – The North Face 100® Thailand, Thailand’s largest trail running event, is back and will take place 31st January 2015 in Pakchong District, Nakhon Ratchasima province. With over 2,000 runners taking part last year and up to 2,400 expected this year, The North Face 100® Thailand is the most popular trail event in Thailand and part of The North Face 100® Asia-Pacific Series.
Organisers confirm five categories this year including 15km, 25km, 50km, 100km Duo and 100km Solo, with male/ female and age-group prizes for 15km and 25km distances, and male/ female prizes for the 50km, 100km Duo and 100km Solo categories.
Recognising the unique natural environment and challenging trails which the runners will traverse, organisers have limited this years event to a total of 2,400 runners.
“The 2015 edition of The North Face 100® Thailand will be the fourth time we have held the event and year-on-year we are seeing more runners taking part. The location, Pakchong, is spectacular and the course this year is again very challenging. Partly because of this, and wishing to limit our footprint in the environment through which we’ll run, we have decided to limit the number of entries to 2,400 maximum,” said Mr. Chaiyut Srivikorn, President of Thai Outdoor Sport Co. Ltd., exclusive distributor of The North Face® in Thailand.
The North Face 100® Thailand has established a reputation for being one of the most gruelling trail-running events in the country and this year organisers have designed an adventurous, hilly course through the spectacularly picturesque district of Pakchong adjacent to Khao Yai National Park. For the ultra distances, total elevation gain is 2,664 metres (100km) and 1,332 metres (50km), with slopes reaching 21% at their steepest and the highest point being 593 metres above sea-level on a technical course.
The only event in Thailand to be selected for three consecutive years as a Qualifying Race for the famous The North Face® Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc® – considered to be the world’s most challenging ultra-trail event – The North Face 100® Thailand attracts top ultra runners from Thailand and overseas and despite strict entry criteria and all 100km Solo runners having to be approved by the organisers, 100 runners (out of a maximum 200) have already been confirmed and the field is looking to be one of the best yet.
Registration and pre-race Expo will take place at Simalin resort this year, the same venue as the start/finish line. The North Face 100® Thailand schedule is as follows:
- Friday 30th January 2015: 14:00 – 19:00 Race Registration and Expo at Simalin.
- Saturday 31st January 2015: Race Day at Simalin.
- 05:00 – 100km Solo, 100km Duo and 50km start.
- 06:30 – 25km start.
- 07:00 – 15km start.
- Saturday 31st January 2015: Prize-giving for 15km, 25km and 50km throughout the day at Simalin.
- Sunday 1st February 2015: 10:30 100km Solo prize-giving at Simalin.
Entries are already very strong with over 1,200 runners registered across the distances more than four months out from race day.
“Trail-running is gaining in popularity each year and we have received a fantastic response for the 2015 event so far. From novice trail runners to seasoned professionals, entries are diverse and what is particularly encouraging is the number of Thai runners spread across all the distances,” added Mr. Chaiyut.
Runners can register now at The North Face® stores in Thailand (Siam Discovery, Central World Plaza, Central Grand Rama 9, Mega Bangna, and upcountry at Central Festival Pattaya Beach, Central Festival Chiang Mai, Central Festival Hat Yai) or online at http://www.thenorthfacethailand.com/TNF100/en/home.php.
The North Face 100® Thailand is an annual trail-running event and the largest ultra trail-running challenge in Thailand, including 15km, 25km, 50km, 100km Duo and 100km Solo distances. The North Face 100® Thailand invites you to run further than you ever have on 31st January, 2015.
For more information, visit www.TheNorthFaceThailand.com.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TNF100Thailand.