V Trail returns and de facto opens Season VIII

This weekend trail runners arrive in Laos for the first time since the covid crisis. Vang Vieng’s V Trail returns to the calendar as an early season event, as the traditional November slot was still not feasible in 2022. The 3rd edition is built on the foundation of the 2018 and 2019 experiences, with a technical and hilly jungle trail of 85km as the longest race category. New this year is the addition of the 55km category as a second points race for the ATM Championship alongside the aforementioned 85km.

Green Step as organiser of V Trail is confident that 2023 will finally see the return of several Laotian events. The Luang Prabang Trail has now also been scheduled for mid-September, giving especially local trail runners in Laos a golden opportunity to get involved in the ATM Championship and qualify for the finals in December.

Due to the shock last-minute cancellation of UTKC in Thailand two weeks ago, this weekend’s V Trail is the de facto ATM season VIII opener. An unexpected development, given that originally V Trail came third on the calendar. Sadly, Indonesia’s very popular Tahura Trail in Bandung has also been called off for the second year in a row in what can already now be regarded as yet another indicator of the current difficulties organisers in several countries in Asia face to make their events happen.

The Vang Vieng races will see quite an international mixture at the start line. On paper it looks like an open competition with several candidates in with a shot to win in the men’s race. Thai runners Amorn Kimnguan, Supeeraphan Sreeduangjan and Wasin Mongholmalee have scored podiums in ATM long ultras before. In the women’s race, Philippines’ Irish Glorioso, one of the ‘new faces’ on the ATM scene last year, could be the one to watch for the race victory.

On the 55km start list we see the names of Sawangjit Saengow and Narin Kongsiri as proven podium runners. We are looking forward to following the performances of many local Lao runners in the race. It’s been more than three years since they last had a chance to do so on home soil.