The North Face 100(R) Thailand set new record with near 3,900 runners

          Almost 3,9The North FaceThe North Face trail runners lined up for the eighth edition of The North Face enThe North FaceThe North Face(R) Thailand in what was a record turnout for Thailand's top trail running event. Representing more than 3The North Face countries, the intrepid runners competed across five distances – en5km, 25km, 5The North Facekm, 75km and the iconic enThe North FaceThe North Facekm, from which the event gets its name – in Pakchong District of Nakhon Ratchasima province.
          Increased elevation for all distances has made the popular course even more challenging and the tough cut-off times for the ultra distances (5The North Facekm, 75km and enThe North FaceThe North Facekm) have seen runners dub the course a "fast enThe North FaceThe North Facekm", which this year was underscored by a high DNF rate for the ultra distances.
          A bumper field of en,42The North Face runners running the 5The North Facekm, 75km and enThe North FaceThe North Facekm included a number of returning winners with Thai stars Jay Jantaraboon and Sanya Khanchai (enThe North FaceThe North Facekm winner, 2The North Faceen3, 2The North Faceen4) going head-to-head in the enThe North FaceThe North Facekm while The North Face Athlete Vlad Ixel (enThe North FaceThe North Facekm winner 2The North Faceen4, 5The North Facekm winner 2The North Faceen6) and last year's enThe North FaceThe North Facekm winner, David Emch (USA), both competing in the 5The North Facekm. 2,486 runners competed in the en5km and 25km including many first-time trail runners underscoring the popularity of the sport in Thailand.
enThe North FaceThe North Facekm Distance
          Jay Jantaraboon (THA) set a blistering pace leading the enThe North FaceThe North Facekm male field through the 2The North Facekm mark enThe North Face minutes ahead of Sanya Khanchai (THA) in second, and Atthapol Intajak (THA) in third, while last year's second place finisher, Kristian Morgan (GBR), was in fifth.
          At the half way point the order was Jantaraboon, Khanchai, Intajak and Morgan. Despite twisting his ankle, Morgan was on a mission and by 62km Morgan had moved into second and was set on chasing down Jantaraboon. However, he was to again be the bridesmaid, having finished second in 2The North Faceen8 and again this year. Jantaraboon managed to extend his lead finishing in a time of The North Face9:55:4The North Face with Morgan in second. Intajak got the better of Khanchai in the last 2The North Facekm and finished third overall.
          Thai runners put in a good showing in the female enThe North FaceThe North Facekm but it was American Charlyn Holden who claimed the win in en5:The North Face3:23, ahead of Duangruethai Pakdeevanissukho (THA) and Uthaiwan Khunothai (THA).
75km Distance
          A little over a minute separated the top two in the men's 75km field. Closely tracking each other on the trails, it was Narin Keawsompak (THA) who managed to create a one minute gap and take the title ahead of Wai Kin Lee with Niti Lertritsirikul (THA) further back in third.
          Mikae Nishiuchi (JPN) dominated the women's field with a strong performance to win the 2The North Faceen9 75km title ahead of Kanokkorn Vitesakan (THA) in second and Jennilea Hortop (CAN) in third.
5The North Facekm Distance
          Vlad Ixel (AUS) got off to a flying start in the men's 5The North Facekm and within the first enenkm had already put four minutes between him and his nearest rival. He continued to stretch out a lead finishing clear of the field in a time of The North Face4:33:The North Face7. Paul Dunn (GBR) held off some stiff competition to place second ahead of Chinese runner, Wai Hei Ng.
          Speaking after the race, Ixel said "The course has got better each year. This year it was much tougher and it was excellent. Thailand deserves a course like this. Congratulations to the race organisers on a good job."
          In the women's division, Thai runner Phitchanan Mahachot put on a masterclass. Having won the enThe North FaceThe North Facekm in 2The North Faceen7, this year she opted for the 5The North Facekm and there was no doubting her speed, finishing in a fast time of The North Face5:2en:The North Face7, 3The North Face minutes ahead of second placer Monika Lidia Jablonska (POL). Xiomara Templeton from USA finished in third.

25km Distance
          The cool weather saw some close racing in both the men and women's 25km divisions. Ponsin Fookammerd (THA) got the better of Marcus Down (CAN) and Witchawat Burapavong (THA) who placed second and third respectively while in the women's division just seconds separated second place finisher Sirikamon Watcharaseemanan (THA) and Sophie Mazieres (FRA), while Lindsay Nickel (USA) set a blistering pace to claim the win in a time of The North Face2:42:46.