Got dazzled this time to join this race despite I am very reluctant to go back, since I was already a survivor once. To speak the truth, I know that it is very hard for me to complete this at 22hrs. Best is really 24 plus, however the cut off time is stringent and not to be messed with.
The route
As with the last race, this race is a very niche for my category there are only 100 slots available. And again, I do not see many foreigners taking part, but at least for this time, there was one Caucasian. Got triggered to sign up because my friend, Thanaporn DNFed last year and I thought maybe its time to revenge and revisit this race again. Before that I had put in too many back to back races and I guess I was too jaded. I actually signed up quite early so managed to get the early price, also at the same time I started to plan for the trip, as now the direct flights to Chiang mai got really expensive.
Some Logistics
Nimman Expat home where I stayed this time, only S$22 a night
The race is mostly participated by locals, this is the first time I saw a foreigner joining this race. Given its limited slots, the races sell out pretty fast, do check out on Thai Trek Trail FB and IG for more info, also their website: https://www.thaitrektrail.com/
The group always tie down with Base Camp Chiangmai for the shuttles, bib collection and mandatory gear check. However, the website sometimes is not very responsive so to recheck the registration can be difficult. But if you catch them on Messenger ( FB) they do respond very fast and also through whatsapp.
Actually, logistically wise nothing have changes, just that this time I chose to stay at Nimman instead of the old city because it is nearer to the Base Camp site and also on the way to Khun Chae National Park. Coming to ChiangMai is always good because it is less crowded than Bangkok and still has all the rest and relax to play around with.
Arriving Chiangmai train station in the morning
This time round I took the train from Bangkok, as air ticket from Singapore to Bangkok is rather cheap. The train tickets can be bought on the spot and also through 12Go website: https://12go.asia/en. The overnight express train always gets sold out very fast especially the lower berth. I think a lot of foreigners like to experience the travelling. I got the upper berth this time as I felt it was much safer for a solo lady. The train ride was pleasant and I slept very well, aircon was cold but they provided the passengers with nice soft pillow and a comforter to keep warm, I also brought along one thick jacket to keep warm too.
Race
Collected the race bib on the day itself
Waking up at 2plus am , I took a Grab bike about 2 k distance to take the transfer mini bus offered by Race Base to get to Khun Chae before 5am start. The shuttle cost about 700 Baht return. As usual, a full set of breakfast was served with hot coffee and tea before the race, you can eat as much as you want. The temperature is really cold in the morning and goes down to about 8 degrees celsius. I took my bib, putting in my drop bag ( there is only one drop bag for the finish for my distance), I made my way to the start line. I did not managed to get Thanaporn, so I started alone.
Very snip shot packing, as I thought it will be a fast session
Serious Breakfast Buffet in the cold
All getting ready for the show time
Start line
The weather was mainly dry cold and hot in the day. Total there are 8 check points to clear with the last one as the finish line. I DNFed at The Khun Jae Waterfall, after that is the vertical section. Somehow, I just remember the timing wrongly , and also I kept thinking about the vertical section, it makes me very tired. Maybe the DNF was a blessing in disguise, I was already quite tired by then and the legs are starting to get swollen.
Finally hit the morning towards the first peak
De ja vu
This time I saw sakura
The first check point comes after quite a climb. Actually I reached there at a very tight timing, I felt it was slower than the last time. It was a village house, there were many food and also serving of drinks. This check point had a proper toilet.
Ration service was good
The second one after much descending, I finally reached it, it was more like a make shift area, still well stocked, which is impressive, I felt this race you do not really need to bring much ration, unless you are very particular of your needs. Every station also has coke, Isotonic ( not sure about the brand), water , rose syrup. Hot drinks like black coffee and coffee mix are also available for your caffeine needs. The food are mainly local cooked rice, some soup , always have egg and vegetable also. There are also banana, oranges and some biscuits and sweets.
Finally walking into Huai Makliang where the familiar training shed was
The fourth check point was the school, in the field. First and this check point has more walkable roads but still when it goes up the mountain everything is tough again. The roads are dry and soil is loose, I was as usual very hesitant at the downhill. Unable to dribble down like the rest with much ease I took too long to reach the fifth also known as Check point 7. This time the CP 7 is not inside the forest beside the waterfall, due to some restrictions by the park. We had to run a main road to this check point. It was really cold then because I took too long to reach this part ( originally wanted to reach before sunset). I was 7 minutes late the check point closes at 08:15 pm but I reach 08:22pm. I felt a bit sad yet parts of me is quite happy because I will not be able to finish the race within the COT.
One of the water points
DNF wrap up
Sitting there waiting for the DNF bus to fetch us there were quite a lot of people who got cut there, guess that is the norm place. There were some egg and tom yum soup there, and I drank it as it was really cold. Waiting for the DNF truck to bring us back, I opened the emergency blanket to keep warm.
Up and down to the waterfall
When we reached back the base, as it was still 10 Pm. I am not able to go anywhere except to wait for the shuttle to pick up at 5am. Was very lucky this time I had much help from the organisers to lend me a sleeping bag and also a small space in the park office to be sheltered from the cold. Wrapping up in the sleeping bag with my emergency blanket I rested until 4am plus and got ready to get on the shuttle. You can whatsapp the Racebase personnel to check the pick up mini van details. The ride back I stopped at One Niman for easier access to my hostel.
Overall
Bye bye
I messaged Thanaporn when I was back, she DNF at the second last check point because she was throwing up and not feeling well already. It was a waste as I thought she had a high chance to finish this race. But nevertheless, I kind of felt good that I DNF, some how the vibes of finishing it was not as strong as the last one. So , I let it go and started to think of the rest and relax!! Massages and more Khao soi!
