It’s become a thing that when we go on holiday that I go on a hunt for races near to where we are staying and this year the race I had planned to do was cancelled so I had to begin a new search. Through the Run Thailand web page I found the first event of the inaugural Thailand Trail Series 2017 Sponsored by Columbia. There are 4 events in various parts of Thailand over the next 6 months offering 10K, 25K and 50K options with competitors gaining points over the 4 events. The first event in Khao Mai Keaw Reservation Park was only 20 minutes from where we were staying in Nong Prue and also had a 3k fun run option which my 9 year old Archie was keen to do.
Entry was very straight forward and the race information was thorough. There was a Runlah web page for race entry very similar to our own entry central. The events company that was organizing the race AMA events had a Facebook page that was updated regularly pre race with pictures and race information in advance of the event. They also provided a route map 
with elevation in advance of the event, something I always like to know!
Race packs were distributed at the race venue the day before the race venue and there was also a sports expo. The race pack included chipped number Race t-shirt and a razor??
A standard safety briefing preceded the 10K race starting at 7.10am after the 50K and 25K
runners had been set off. With the sun still rising the air was surprisingly cool with a mild breeze (23 Degrees). 600 10k entrants were lined up camelbaks in tow ready for the klaxon.
The first part of the route was undulating and varying in terrain from soft sand to hard dirt with a lot of holes and overgrown vegetation. I did loom near the back at the start and got boxed in for the first Kilometer and found it difficult to weave the crowd with the craters on the trail and narrowing of the paths. I was anticipating catching a glimpse of tropical wildlife but the second kilometer took us through a field of free roaming cows and an abundance of manure to add to the 
obstacle list.
Much to my delight there was a burn, down a little embankment and straight though.
Once I hit the 3k mark I could feel the route was elevating and the terrain was very soft sand. At 5.5k I could really feel it in my calf’s and slowed to a walk for 200m.
At the 6k marker there was a water station and a fork, 10k to the left 25k & 50K to the right. Left I went and the soft sand turned to a more solid dirt track that narrowed to a single file track. This is where we entered the Jungle! This bit reminded me of the hill at the Gordonstoun XC but having seen the elevation pre race I knew this was the start of a sharp climb up to 8k. With lots of exposed tree roots and large boulders I fell foul of the protruding obstacles and landed in the vegetation absolutely terrified of landing in a cobras nest, I quickly got up and
dusted the dirt off my hands and carried on to do the same another 2 times although avoiding landing on the ground.
Hitting the 8k mark was a delight, all down hill from here… or so I thought. The same steep narrow dirt paths presented on the decent and hesitant from my trips I did take my time more than normal on a decent. As the paths widened in the last 700m some new obstacles presented themselves. BMX hills about 10 of them and back onto the softer sand terrain too. 
Onto the grass down a set of steps and onto the concrete to finish the race at the same point where it started. As I crossed the chip sensor I was handed my finishers medal and exited the funnel to collect an isotonic refreshment and a sponge from 
the ice bucket.
I was met at the end by Archie promptly flashing his war wound from his 3k fun run that he described as a ninja warrior type course. He too had taken a tumble on the rough terrain but had not been 
deterred and got back up to finish the race. Proudly showing off his medal telling me how he enjoyed his race.
Surprised to find that when the results were issued I was the 19th lady finished in a field of 287. Would definitely be looking to return next year to better my time.
Report by: Kimberley Clark