Last Sunday's very enjoyable My Home Trail event in the vicinity of Chiang Mai in Thailand, saw Paul Dunn and Nisachon Morgan emerge victorious in the 50km long points race for the Asia Trail Master Championship ranking. For both it was also the second ATM race victory of their running careers, Dunn having won UTKC 100 in 2020 and Morgan was the best female in Trail of Man in 2023. My Home Trail was a new entry in our Championship calendar and the only Thai points race of Season 10. We are certainly hoping more Thai events will join again as of next year.

My Home Trail refers to the home of celebrated Thai runner and adventure racer Jay Jantaraboon, who hails from Mae Chaem - location of the races. The place is roughly three hours drive from the city of Chiang Mai, quite close to Doi Inthanon. The 50km race was labelled as the “Unknown 50” and had quite a lot of elevation gain to conquer with over 2600 hm.

Paul Dunn was already in the lead at the halfway point of the race and showed that his speed has not decreased in the past five years. If the British runner, living in Thailand, adds another solid ATM race result still this season, he may just as well become a dark horse for the Championship Final at Mu Cang Chai Ultra Trail in Vietnam on 4 October. The same applies for two Thai runners who stayed close to him until the finish. Nattawut Raisiri and Kitanon Angkanawaraphan were second and third within 12 minutes of Dunn’s finishing time of 5h46. They all clearly preceeded better-known Job Tanapong by more than 24 minutes. For Job Tanapong, a double ATM race winner in 2019, it was also a return to our scene. Another Thai runner who used to be very active and prominent before the covid crisis, Sukrit Kaewyoun, had to settle for 8th place, just ahead of Santi Phongsraphang, who scored his 3rd solid result of the ATM season and looks already guaranteed for a spot in Team Thailand for the upcoming Season 10 Final in Vietnam on 4 October. Another prominent Thai runner, Danon Rattanatumrong - winner of Luang Prabang Ultra Trail 100 last October - was an unfortunate DNS last weekend.

In the women’s race, Nisachon Morgan was clearly the fastest runner coming in 12th overall in 7h52. In second place was Philippines’ Mary Ann Leovis, who scored her best ATM race result ever. The third spot on the podium was for Thailand’s Nalin Likithamanit.

For many Thai runners it was the first ATM race of the season. Those who wish to qualify for Team Thailand in the ATM Championship Final will need to race one more time as a minimum requirement, before we check the country’s Top 5 points ranking early September.

Thanks to ATM reporter on-site: Mark Jinmin.

Top favourites grab wins in My Home Trail 50