Back with its eighth edition, The North Face 100® Thailand finally came to a conclusion in Pakchong District of Nakhon Ratchasima province on Saturday, 26th January 2019. Recognised as Thailand’s top trail running event, almost 3,900 enthusiastic trail runners from more than 30 different countries were seen lining up at the start line to compete across five different categories – 15km, 25km, 50km, 75km and the iconic 100km.
This year, an increase in elevation for all distances has made the course more challenging with tougher cutoff times for the ultra distances, ending up with a high DNF (Did Not Finish) rate for the ultra distances. Despite that, a total of 1,420 runners took part in the 50km, 75km and 100km category, while 2,486 runners competed in the 15km and 25km category including many first-time trail runners underscoring the popularity of the sport in Thailand.
Returning winners such as Jay Jantaraboon (100km winner, 2013) and Sanya Khanchai (100km winner, 2014) went head-to-head in the 100km category, while The North Face Athlete Vlad Ixel (100km winner, 2014 & 50km winner 2016) and David Emch (100km winner, 2018) also went head-to-head in the 50km category.
100km Distance
In the men’s division, Jay Jantaraboon (THA) took the lead through the 20km mark ahead of Sanya Khanchai (THA) in second, followed by Atthapol Intajak (THA) in third, while the last year’s second place finisher, Kristian Morgan (GBR), was in fifth place.
Halfway through the race, the order of the positions was still Jantaraboon, Khanchai, Intajak and Morgan. Along the 62km mark, Morgan pushed through into second placing was set on chasing down Jantaraboon despite twisting his ankle. Yet, Jantaraboon not only managed to maintain his lead, but also extend his finishing in a time of 09:55:40 with Morgan in second. In the last 20km, Intajak got the better of Khanchai and finished third overall.
In the women’s division, American Charlyn Holden claimed the win a timing of 15:03:23, ahead of both ahead of Duangruethai Pakdeevanissukho (THA) and Uthaiwan Khunothai (THA).
Overall Winners:
| Men | Women | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Place | Jay Jantaraboon (09:55:40) | Charlyn Holden (15:03:23) |
| 2nd Place | Kristian Morgan (10:30:23) | Duangruethai Pakdeevanissukho (15:23:24) |
| 3rd Place | Atthapol Intajak (10:47:03) | Uthaiwan Khunothai (16:31:16) |
75km Distance
In the men’s division, Narin Keawsompak (THA) maintained pacing and managed to create a one minute gap from the start to finish and claim the winning title ahead of Wai Kin Lee (THA) in second place and Niti Lertritsirikul (THA) in third place.
In the women’s division, Mikae Nishiuchi (JPN) put up a strong performance to win the winning title ahead of Kanokkorn Vitesakan (THA) in second place and Jennilea Hortop (CAN) in third place.
Overall Winners:
| Men | Women | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Place | Narin Keawsompak (08:25:00) | Mikae Nishiuchi (10:18:50) |
| 2nd Place | Wai Kin Lee (08:26:12) | Kanokkorn Vitesakan (10:44:46) |
| 3rd Place | Niti Lertritsirikul (08:51:27) | Jennilea Hortop (12:28:33) |
50km Distance
In the men’s division, Vlad Ixel (AUS) was off to a flying start while distancing himself from his rival, Paul Dunn (GBR), as he continues to stretch out a lead finishing clear of the field in a time of 04:33:07. Paul Dunn (GBR) was going head-to-head with Wai Hei Ng (CHN) and ended up claiming second place.
Ixel exclaimed:
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, Phitchanan Mahachot (THA), having won the 100km category back in 2017, opted for the 50km this year, finished with an outstanding time of 05:21:07, 30 minutes ahead of second placer Monika Lidia Jablonska (POL) while Xiomara Templeton from (USA) finished in third.
Overall Winners:
| Men | Women | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Place | Vlad Ixel (04:33:07) | Phitchanan Mahachot (05:21:07) |
| 2nd Place | Paul Dunn (04:49:41) | Monika Lidia Jablonska (05:51:36) |
| 3rd Place | Wai Hei Ng (04:53:45) | Xiomara Templeton (06:15:40) |
25km Distance
In the men’s division, Ponsin Fookammerd (THA) overtook Marcus Down (CAN) and Witchawat Burapavong (THA) who were placed second and third respectively.
In the women’s division, just seconds separated second place finisher Sirikamon Watcharaseemanan (THA) and Sophie Mazieres (FRA), with Lindsay Nickel (USA) setting an impressive pace finishing in 02:42:46.
Overall Winners:
| Men | Women | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Place | Ponsin Fookammerd (02:21:04) | Lindsay Nickel (02:42:46) |
| 2nd Place | Marcus Down (02:24:33) | Sirikamon Watcharaseemanan (02:54:11) |
| 3rd Place | Witchawat Burapavong (02:31:04) | Sophie Mazieres (02:54:35) |
15km Distance
In the men’s division, Romain Chevalier (FRA) had a great start and never look back. He even managed to beat last year’s winning time with a time of 01:13:55. Following up was Labhon Rakchart (THA) who was less than two minutes behind him and finally Wasan Ratana-Aporn (THA) in third.
In the women’s division, it was a close race between Sabrina Gatti (FRA) and Torill Haga Olufsen (NOR), but Sabrina Gatti managed to edge out closer to the finishing line before Torill Haga Olufsen did. The difference between them was less than 30 seconds. And finally, Pornuma Onnoum (THA) came in placing third.
Overall Winners:
| Men | Women | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Place | Romain Chevalier (01:13:55) | Sabrina Gatti (01:42:41) |
| 2nd Place | Labhon Rakchart (01:15:29) | Torill Haga Olufsen (01:43:06) |
| 3rd Place | Wasan Ratana-Aporn (01:18:39) | Pornuma Onnoum (01:44:29) |
Stay tuned for more exciting updates on The North Face 100® Thailand in 2020.
