Ultra Trail Unseen returned to Koh Chang for its third consecutive year last weekend, with runners from all over the world descending on the sleepy local area of Salak Phet to compete in the 13km, 35km, 70km and 100km races.
The Course – Ultra Trail Unseen 2017
The races took part over 2 days with the 100km setting off a day ahead of the others to allow for extra time to get round the gruelling course.
Runners last year experienced huge difficulties over the longer distance which resulted in only 1 pair finishing. Taking this on board, the Ultra Trail Unseen organisers changed the route to include the cross country section to Than Mayom Waterfall and whilst still incredibly tough, the race became much more competitive.
The winners, Soonseng Ong from Malaysia and Wataru Iino of Japan got round in an incredible 15:08:33, but a further 36 runners also completed the circuit. Barely out of breath when interviewed at the finish line, the top Female racer was another Malaysian Tahira Najmunisaa in 16:10:25.
The 70km which followed a similar route to the 100km with certain sections dropped, was won by Canadian Zack Reimer in 09:38:20. Kim Matthews of Australia led home the women in 11:02:26.
The 35km race too started out above Salak Phet Bay, before skirting off through the forests and orchards near the waterfalls of Kheeri Phet and Klong Neung and then out on the Klong Sip-Et road. It was won by Thai woman Sutinee Rasp in 04:44:32, with her fellow countryman Apisit Sangwan first back for the men in 04:51:38.
The 13km race once again circled the village before heading out to Wai Chek Beach and back. This year, German Raoul Malm took first place in 01:39:1. Thai female runner Prinnaporn Wannasrim came in 2nd in 01:40:55.4.
The race will return in 2018.
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