Ultra Trail Running

Hà Thị Hậu runs to test the route of the Amazean Jungle Thailand by UTMB which will be held on May 4-5 in Yala Province. Photos courtesy of Hà Hậu

HÀ NỘI -- World ultra-trail running star Hà Thị Hậu is aiming for a top place at the Amazean Jungle Thailand this weekend, the toughest event of the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB).

The UTMB World Series tournament will be held from May 4-5 in Betong, Yala Province which is near the Thailand-Malaysia border.

The first international competition of the year for Hậu is also the most difficult one where she will not only face with rough terrain, strong rivals but also super-hot weather.

"I just competed at the Bình Dương Half Marathon event and felt the very hot weather in the South region. But according to the information I have, the heat in Betong is even more terrible than that. It will be like we will be a 'pan of fire' there," Hậu said.

Hậu will compete in the 100K (106km) category for about 5,860m elevation gain at the Amazean Jungle Thailand which also offers distances of 100M (148km), 50K (56km) and 20K (26km).

She has made a plan for every single check-point (CP) and hopes to complete the race in 15 hours which seems a modest goal. Last year, she won the same category at the Doi Inthanon Thailand by UTMB in 12:09.02 and finished fourth at the UTMB World Series Finals in 12:38.28.

Hà Thị Hậu expects a good result at the Amazean Jungle Thailand, the toughest event by UTMB.

However, Hậu said the time was reasonable as the Amazean Jungle Thailand was so tough that many elite runners skipped it and accumulated points in other tournaments.

"This will be a completely different tournament than two UTMB events I took part in last year. I am not used to hot weather because normally I live and practice in Sa Pa - a place with mild and cool all year round," said Hậu adding that the most difficult task was how to adjust with the heat.

She said there were eight CPs in her category and she would have to take at least 2.2 litres of water, nearly double than other tournaments, and more electrolyte salt tablets to ensure her safety under the heat.

Her coaches also adjusted the training and nutrition plan to get her used to competing in high heat. They believed that the best way to achieve the goal was to run quickly at the early time of the race, while the sun was not yet up, to avoid high temperatures. 

Hà Thị Hậu runs with the national flag when she finish fourth at the UTMB World Series FInals last September in France.

However, on May 1 when Hậu arrived in Betong, she informed that the current temperature was good, a little hot but the temperature during the day was stable.

"I love the dense forests of Thailand and can't wait to conquer the Betong's 100km route. The run will start at 4am this Saturday. In just a few days, I will taste the joy of conquering this running route! Let's wait for my results," she wrote.

"The race will be tough but I hope I will champion. A win in an international tournament is really important to an amateur like me. I am trying to reach the world level which will help me receive more support to take part in larger competitions."

The Betong win is also considered a strong push for Hậu as she has announced her plan of winning the 2024 UTMB World Series Finals in September in France.

In the world ranking, Hậu is currently No 4 with 745 points. She is below rivals from Spain, the US and Japan. VNS