September
River Kwai International Half Marathon
Sep 13: River Kwai International Half Marathon
Thailand’s oldest road race will celebrate its 34th year on Sep 13, when it will click into gear near the River Kwai Village Hotel in Kanchanaburi. Be prepared with a GoPro to capture the scenic sights of wildlife, villages and historical landmarks. There will be two distances: the half marathon or the 10.5km, both costing B500. Although the organizers have upped the maximum capacity of racers to 2,500 people this year, this is still a very in-demand event. Registration at
[email protected]
Sep 19: Singha Trail Running Festival 2015
Catch a flight up north to Chiang Rai for the some scenic trail running at the beautiful Singha Park. Almost the whole path of this race is set on a natural dirt road rather than concrete--good news if you're prone to shin splints or runner's knee! Registration fees range from B550-900 and you can opt to do the 3km fun run, 10.5km trail run or the 21km off-road half marathon. Be sure to bring along a camel back hydration system as the weather forecast states that it will be very hot and humid. For more information and registration, visit ow.ly/Rkot8.
Sep 20: Bangkok Zone Tri Dash – Dash 3
This race will follow the same format as the triathlon in August (see above), held in the same location in Samut Prakan, and also costs B850 to participate. Register at
goo.gl/MnRdYx
October
Oct 4: Khao Yai Trail Marathon
This year’s Khao Yai Trail Marathon takes you through the breathtaking national park. The trail will be very hilly so be sure to bring a hydration pack in case of cramps. Registration and available distances haven’t been launched yet, so keep checking their website for updates. Details at
goo.gl/enf-pjuOct 18: Bike Zone Tri-Dash – Crazy Pre-Phuket Race
This triathlon event features a 0.8km swim, 40km bike and 10km run, serving as a great warm-up event for triathletes looking to compete in the Laguna Phuket Triathlon in December (see below). The event will take place in Samut Prakan on Oct 18 and cost B1,000 per person. Register at
goo.gl/Hn8bG3
Oct 23-24: Sanvo Ultimate Adventure Challenge 2015
Add another twist to your running regime and sign up for the Sanvo River Ultimate Adventure Challenge, where you will be running, biking, swimming and kayaking through the thick jungles and slopey mountains of Chiang Rai. The two-day race involves 7-12 hours or action per day for teams of two participants. Although the race is demanding, it is also very scenic and you'll be able to visit some pretty obscure spots--so be sure to bring a GoPro camera along. Registration costs B10,900 per team if you sign up before Sep 30, and the fee is inclusive of a T-shirt, team tent, finish-line food and a post-event gala dinner. To register, visit ow.ly/Rkq7E.
November
100 Miles
Nov 6-8: 100 Miles
With the cooler weather approaching, November is the big month for those training for long-distance events. The month kicks off with this 160.934km race in Chiang Rai. If you aren’t ready to run 100 miles in a 32-hour time cap on your own, sign up for the back-to-back category where the race will be divided into two days, with 16 hours of running each day. The race will be broken up with an eight-hour sleep time. Still too daunting? Gather a group of runners and sign up for the team event, where four people run 25 miles (40km) each over a total of 32 hours. Prices and further details haven’t been released yet, so visit their Facebook page for updates (
www.fb.com/100milesthailand). This event is no piece of cake so train properly! Details at
www.fb.com/100milesthailandNov 7-8: Relentless Endurance Run
The Relentless Endurance Run will feature 3, 6, 12 and 24-hour ultramarathon events. The scenic run will take place at the Huay Tung Tao reservoir. Registration costs B500-2,400 and there is an option to register on-site on Nov 7. Don’t bank on signing up at the venue, though, as there are no guaranteed spots. Proceeds of this race will benefit Relentless, a non-profit organization helping those who are abused, exploited or trafficked in Thailand. Register at
goo.gl/uDBCJ5Nov 22: Laguna Phuket Triathlon and Challenge Laguna Phuket
Big triathlon events are also happening down South in November. The Laguna Phuket Triathlon on Nov 22 consists of a 1.8km swim, 55km bike and 12km run through Phuket’s picturesque tropical scenery. You can also gather a team of three for the team event or sign up for the 6km fun run. Registration fees range from B600-6,000. Its sister event, the Challenge Laguna Phuket, takes place Nov 29 and consists of a 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run. The event is a big hit with pro triathletes worldwide, so even if you’re not ready, this is a good excuse for you to travel to Phuket and spectate for some inspiration. Registration for both races at
goo.gl/XaUe3K
December
Chiang Mai Marathon
Dec 4-6: Ultra Thai Chiang Mai
This hilly run through Chiang Mai and Chiang Dao is scheduled to happen on Dec 4-6 with two available distance categories –— the 150km ultra race, or a 150km ultra race broken down into three stages over three days. This is an event only suitable for experienced runners and there are pre-registration prerequisites you’ll need to fulfill before you sign up. The event costs B8,554.
Dec 13: Phrae Marathon 2015
With a 4am start time, you'll find one of the most unique running experiences at this year's Phrae Marathon, as the organizers have deliberately set up an early gun time to make for a scenic run. First, you'll be running through the darkness of the dawn amid twinkling candle lights before going up and down scenic foothills where you will be able to see some provincial landmarks as well as enjoy the sunrise. You can opt to do the full marathon, half marathon, 10km or 5km run with registration fees ranging from B350-500. Registration forms will be released by the organizers in September, but you can also register by calling 089-755-1488.
Dec 20: Chiang Mai Marathon
End your year with on an active note by signing up for the Chiang Mai Marathon. The event takes place on Dec 20, and runners can sign up for the full or half marathon, 10km or 3km runs. Although Chiang Mai is a hilly place, the race organizers must have been in a good mood when they planned the race course because the race takes place on only flat roads. Registration will open Jun 6, so mark your calendars for the early bird rates. Register at
www.chiangmaimarathon.com
