Taichi Yui and Dong Anh Luong win tough Luang Prabang 75

Tokyo’s Taichi Yui won his ATM debut race in Luang Prabang in Laos, the opening event of the new Championship Season 11. A friend of last year’s winner and ATM protagonist Yuta Matsuyama, he controlled the men’s race from start to finish. His time at the finish was 11h28. Yui, born in 1985, says ATM is an objective for him in the coming year with qualification for the Championship Final very much on his mind. The redesigned race in Luang Prabang is receiving praise from runners for its wonderful scenery and fantastic aid stations. While the 2800 metres of elevation gain does not sound too much, the 75km race is another example of ‘numbers can be deceiving’. Less technical and tough than V Trail, yet Luang Prabang also has its share of technical jungle trails with some significant descents.

In second place we had Vietnam's 25-year-old youngster Khanh Dam Quoc in 13h11'. Belgium's Antoine Deligne, in his long ultra debut, scored third place in 13h58. Thailand's Peeramata Chiemchit took fourth and Switzerland's Raffael Alpiger fifth.

The winner of the women’s race was Vietnam's Luong Dong Anh, who finished just ahead of Philippines' Merionne Dimen Elkins in 20h04. Both runners are also new faces on an ATM podium. Nakin Visisombat gave home country Laos a podium on the 75km main distance category with third place. Australia's Liz Colee came back to the finish in fourth.

The next ATM qualifying points race event is V Trail in Vang Vieng, scheduled for 14/15 March 2026.