Doi Inthanon National Park in the province of Chiang Mai is home to Thailand’s highest mountain, the 2,565-metre Doi Inthanon. Dubbed “the Roof of Thailand,” the park covers an area of 482 square kilometres – or about one-third the size of Bangkok. It is here the first edition of MSIG Thailand Action Asia 50 will be held.
Four Categories of Trail Running
The race will offer four race distances: 14km, 22km, 34km and 54km. The 54km course will feature a total elevation gain of over 2,000m with over 2,000m elevation loss, which will be the first officially sanctioned Skyrunning event in Thailand. Skyrunning refers to mountain running above 2,000m with extremely technical trails.
Action Asia Events is the first and only trail running company allowed to hold a charity running event in Doi Inthanon National Park. So, racing at Doi Inthanon is a rare opportunity that you won’t want to miss.
The Beneficiaries
Similar to the MSIG Thailand Action Asia 50 zero edition held on 4 June 2017, the proceeds of the first edition will go towards the purchase of trees for planting and the construction of a water dam in the local Hmong and Karen hill tribe village areas.
Wuttiphong Dongkumfu, the Assistant Chief of Thailand Doi Inthanon National Park, said,
“Doi Inthanon Mountain Marathon is a fundraising marathon that Doi Inthanon National Part co-operate with Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Hongkong and Chiang Mai Office together with Action Asia Events. The goals of this event are for promoting awareness and improving environmental conditions in Inthanon National Park. Moreover, funds we have raised from the event will support check dam building and tree planting. Last but not least, I would to like to invite all domestic and international runners join the Doi Inthanon Mountain Marathon: 1st Edition that will be held on 17th December 2017.”
The Course
According to Ms Sarima Chindamat, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Hong Kong (TAT-HK):
“Doi Inthanon National Park is an iconic scenery in northern Thailand that is home to the famous twin pagodas, built to commemorate the 60th birthdays of the late king and queen. It is also home to many local tribes and interesting local attractions, including coffee plantations, camping, restaurants by the river, and so on. Tourists can enjoy a trail marathon while embracing the beautiful natural scenery and the local Thai experience.”
Woraphan Kijsawasdi, MSIG Thailand Action Asia 50 zero edition women’s 50km champion, said, “The test run was challenging because the beginning 20 km is only going up-hill. It’s not quite normal in Thailand, since we don’t have many tall mountains like Doi Inthanon. Challenge yourself to run up to Doi Inthanon area. You will see the beautiful scenic view around you as panoramic.”
Another participant, Pichet Sirilertpornchai, is looking forward to the first edition. “It’s a beautiful race meanwhile challenged to run with elevation gain in the highest mountain of national park in Thailand and I think the weather in race day will be quite good because it’s winter season in Thailand.”
This fundraising event is possible due to the generous support of presenting sponsor MSIG Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited and supporting partners Tourism Authority of Thailand-Hong Kong, Doi Inthanon National Park, Hoka One One, Outdoor Channel, AirAsia, Alpha Runner, Tri Action, International Skyrunning Federation, ITRA, Action X Store and Action Asia Foundation.
