International runners from 40 nations join the 1st edition of Vietnam Ultra Marathon
Scheduled to kick off March 23 2024, Vietnam Ultra Marathon will bring together runners from 40 nations to embark on the thrilling journey, from the demanding 70km trail to the kid-friendly 5km distance in Mai Chau – one of the most iconic landscapes in Vietnam.
With a mix of excellent tourism facilities, great trails, interesting culture, delicious food and its proximity to Hanoi, Mai Chau is a great destination for trail runners and their friends and family.
The route has been designed to show runners another side of Mai Chau, introducing much more of the area than people usually discover. From the already well-known main valley of Mai Chau town and its beautiful surrounding Thai minority villages, the race will traverse a wide variety of landscapes, from jungles to rice terraces and long mountain ascents with majestic views.
At its highest point the course reaches the unique circular Hmong village of Thung Mai, nestled close to Hang Kia’s lookout point, itself another highlight already gaining popularity with photographers.
Ultra runners will also pass through an abandoned village and through bamboo forests as single-track trails weave along valley floors and traverse hill sides and burst into happiness at the Finish Line in Ban Lac.
One of the elite runners to take part is Michal Lesniak of Poland, winner of prestigious races in Europe and Asia. He is flying in from the UK to race. He says: “I look forward to seeing Mai Chau, because participating in the VUM running competition is not only about the run itself, but also about the adventure of discovering a new place. Mai Chau is famous for its stunning natural landscapes, including green valleys and terraced rice fields. Participating in the VUM event will allow me to immerse myself in these stunning views and experience the charm of the Vietnamese countryside firsthand. From exploring hidden trails to immersing yourself in the local culture, staying in Mai Chau will be a unique and unforgettable experience for me and other runners looking for adventure and exploration.”
The Men’s 70km race
The 70km race will see many runners from around the world. One of the hot favourites, flying in from his home in the USA is Ruairi Moynihan. A seasoned runner, Moynihan has the course record for the Lake Sonoma 100K and the Javelina Jackass 31KM, plus many other victories including the Elephant Mountain 50k, and the Speedgoat 11Km, showing his ability at every distance.
However, Moynihan will be facing John ‘Stingray’ Onifa from the Philippines. Stingray has achieved numerous victories in long-distance races globally, showcasing his prowess, including recent triumphs at TransLantau50 by UTMB 2023 and The North Face 100 Hong Kong 2023.
The route has been designed to show runners another side of Mai Chau, introducing much more of the area than people usually discover.
From the already well-known main valley of Mai Chau town and its beautiful surrounding Thai minority villages, the race will traverse a wide variety of landscapes, from jungles to rice terraces and long mountain ascents with majestic views. At its highest point the course reaches the unique circular Hmong village of Thung Mai, nestled close to Hang Kia’s lookout point, itself another highlight already gaining popularity with photographers.
The full course brings to mind parts of Ha Giang, Pu Luong and Moc Chau. The varied terrain is one of the key features of this course and something that has become a trademark of Topas races. From the highest point of the race, the route follows trails from valley to valley, each with its own stunning landscape.
Ultra runners will also pass through an abandoned village and through bamboo forests as single-track trails weave along valley floors and traverse hill sides.
Kid Friendly Run
Alongside 25km and 10km, the race also includes an almost flat 5km with around 50% trail designed to suit families with little runners.
There will also be a very special group of kids running, with Topas supporting Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation to bring around 50 disadvantaged kids from Hanoi to enjoy a fully paid for weekend in the mountains.
Charity
As with all Topas Vietnam Trail Series races, there will be a charity element. In total, the series has now raised over VND11billion in cash and also supported hundreds of free charity slots to help raise further funding for good causes.