Trail Run

Hà Thị Hậu runs at the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Trail Run Championship's 35km race in Kenting, Chinese Taipei on April 16. Photos xterraplanet.com

HÀ NỘI Hà Thị Hậu met no difficulties in winning the inaugural XTERRA Asia-Pacific Trail Run Championship's 35km race at the picturesque Stony Brook Nature Farm in Kenting, Chinese Taipei on Sunday.

As the first of three continental championship races on the new XTERRA Trail Run World Series, runners competed for U$5,200 in prize money and qualifying spots into the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship on October 1 at Sugarloaf Resort in Maine, the US.

It was nice and cool in Kenting National Park for the 6am start of the 35km race. Hậu started fast with the two lead men, Maxim Chane from France and Chang Che Hao of the hosts. No other female runner could keep pace with the exceptional 33-year-old runner from the mountainous region of Việt Nam.

“It’s my first time in Taiwan, and I am excited to discover the XTERRA Trail Run World Series here,” said Hậu, who has won every race she’s entered over the last two years, including the Doi Inthanon Thailand by UTMB's 50km.

She qualified for the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc Orsières-Champex-Chamonix, which is a 55km race that is one of seven races featured in the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc event that takes place annually at Chamonix in France,

“Today’s race was cool, I liked it a lot," Hậu told Việt Nam News. "I am happy to have a chance to race in such a beautiful country. Everything is super clean with a beautiful natural park trail route and amazing scenery. While running, I heard birds singing and saw monkeys and deer.”

"It is not a difficult race for me. I wished the track was longer so I had more time to enjoy the beauty of Taiwan.

"Of course, I meet with strong rivals from different countries and territories," said Hậu, one of the Asia-Pacific regions’ rising stars on the ultra-running scene. "Many arrived here several days before the race to familiarise themselves with the route. All wanted to win to qualify for the world tournament in October in the US."

Her winning time of 3hr 27.34min was good for third overall, behind only Chane and Chang, the top two in the men's category.

Georgia Grobler from South Africa was second, and Yen Hsiao Ching of Taiwan finished third.

In the half-marathon men’s race, Sebastien Carabin of Belgium surged into the lead at the 3km mark of the run and never looked back. Tung Meng Yun of Taiwan took the top spot in the women’s event.

There was also a 7km trail run, won by local legends Emmie Ries and Zang Jinyue.

Hà Thị Hậu poses with the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Trail Run Championship finish ribbon as the tournament winner on April 16.

The Asia-Pacific Championship is one event of the inclusive XTERRA Trail Run World Series that invites all trail enthusiasts to join the XTERRA community to connect, explore, and discover new and existing trails in idyllic running terrains the world over.

Designed to mix community and adventure, the series is open to all runners, from amateur to elite, individuals and pairs, with over 30 races in more than 20 countries and territories across Europe, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific region.

Runners can compete individually, regionally or globally in the XTERRA Trail Run rankings or push to the front of the pack to qualify for a place on the starting line at the annual and invite-only XTERRA Trail Run World Championship.

When asked by Việt Nam News about her plans for the world event, Hậu said: "My bonus (from this event) will be used to pay for my competitions. If I ran internationally, I would have to pay a lot. I hope to have more sponsors join hands to support me and my current sponsor MUDE Sports.

"For the coming championship, I have my team Push&Smile Coaching prepared and made plans for me. We will discuss training, nutrition and rests. I am lucky to have such a pro crew supporting me."

Before the world championship, Hậu will compete in Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB. She will run in the women's 50km category.

"I am excited about racing," she said. "To me, participating in tournaments in world countries and territories is like travelling. I visit these localtions, run and discover new beautiful lands." VNS