Hà Thị Hậu won the VnExpress Hanoi Midnight Marathon's 21km in late November. She will compete at the Doi Inthanon Thailand by UTMB on December 10 in Chiang Mai. Photo courtesy of Hanoi Midnight Marathon

Thanh Hà

HÀ NỘI — Trail queen Hà Thị Hậu of Việt Nam is excited to compete in her first-ever international competition at the Doi Inthanon Thailand by UTMB on December 10 in Chiang Mai.

Hậu, 33, is well-known nationally after her outstanding performances in every tournament she has participated in over the last two years. 

She won the Vietnam Trail Marathon's 70km in 2021, the Đà Lạt Ultra Trail 2022's 70km in March, the Việt Nam Mountain Marathon's 100km class in September and the Lâm Đồng Trail 2022's 70km last month. 

She also tested her ability in road races and finished first in the VnExpress Hạ Long Marathon and VnExpress Hanoi Midnight Marathon.

However, winning domestic titles has not been enough for the girl from Sa Pa, Lào Cai Province, and now she has turned her gaze to international competitions. 

Hậu is one of three Vietnamese runners taking part in the Doi Inthanon Thailand by UTMB (Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc), in which competitors choose five routes ranging from 14km to 160km. The course is based around the highest mountain in Thailand, Doi Inthanon, also known as the roof of the country.

"Yes, it is my first time running aboard and I am really excited," Hậu told Việt Nam News.

Hậu arrived in Thailand early to train before the tournament. She will compete in the 50km class and vie for a bonus of 1,200 euros (US$1,270) and the precious trophy. 

The runners-up will take 900 euros and 600 euros, respectively.

"I choose the first abroad race in Thailand because it is close to my home in Việt Nam. At Doi Inthanon Thailand by UTMB, I will run against the world's strongest competitors," said Hậu.

The small woman was surprised as some foreign athletes recognised her as the winner of many Vietnamese races when she ran on the street.

Asked by she chose the 50km event, not the 70km and 100km where she usually competes, Hậu said she would take part in the final of the 2022 Asia Trail Master Championship next week.

She is saving energy for the 70km pool at the Mount Apo Sky Race in the Philippines on December 17.

Despite making her international debut, Hậu is only focused on her performance.

Hà Thị Hậu is currently Việt Nam's best trail runner, dominating all tournaments so has entered. Photo vietnamtrailseries.com

(From left to right) Quang Trần, Hà Thị Hậu and Đỗ Trọng Nhơn are three Vietnamese runners at the Doi Inthanon Thailand by UTMB, the Asia-Pacific Major event. Photo of MUDE sport

"I have no time to see the route in person, just to watch the Doi Inthanon races on YouTube. It looks quite similar to routes in Việt Nam, so it's reassuring for me," said Hậu.

"I actually don't know about the other athletes. They are good and super good and fast. It is ok, I will do my best in this race. My only target is how to run as fast as possible, and I am happy with it."

Other two Việt Nam representatives are Trần Duy Quang or Quang Trần, the national No 1 trail runner and Đỗ Trọng Nhơn, also a famed marathoner.

They both competed in the 160km category on December 9.

The Doi Inthanon is one of the most popular national parks in Thailand. Its route showcases the local biodiversity and the forest changes with a gradual climb from 400m to 2565m above sea level.

The journey immerses runners in local culture, allowing them to experience the peaceful ways of life of the Hmong, Pga-Gan-Yaw and Karenic tribes, as well as awe-inspiring views of the terraced rice paddy fields and cool temperatures in beautiful, tropical, humid forests.

The Doi Inthanon Thailand by UTMB is one of three events in the UTMB World Series. 2022 is the third edition, and a hugely successful 2021 is part of the world series announced as the Asia-Pacific Major event.

Finishers will collect double the amount of Running Stones, which are entry to a lottery to participate in the UTMB World Series Finals, compared to other events. The top 10 elite and top age group athletes in the 160km, 100km and 50km categories will automatically win a place at the Final, UTMB Mt Blanc in France, the pinnacle trail running event. VNS