Conquer the scenic routes amidst the golden season.
Early in the morning, as the first rays of sunlight pierced through the mountain ranges, all the athletes were ready for their journey to conquer the trails of Mu Cang Chai . There were no flat running paths or familiar tracks; before them lay slopes, trails, mountain slopes, streams, and villages nestled in the heart of the wilderness.
In trail running, every step is a challenge. Athletes must calculate their energy levels, master their speed, and constantly adapt to changing terrain. But it is precisely these challenges that create the unique appeal of Ultra Trail.
Among the athletes participating in this year's race, Le Phuong Vy chose the 160 km distance - the longest distance of the competition. To prepare for this challenge, she spent a lot of time training, building endurance, and preparing both physically and mentally.
Vy shared: "I was very excited to drive on the Mu Cang Chai route for the first time. The golden season here is very beautiful and unique, and the mountains and forests are majestic. I feel proud to have experienced this amazing route."
For long-distance runners, the race is measured not only by speed but also by their ability to overcome fatigue and their own endurance limits. Each kilometer completed is both a step closer to the finish line and an opportunity to fully appreciate the beauty of the land they travel through.
Every route, a different experience.
For many athletes, this year's Mu Cang Chai Ultra Trail race marks their first time setting foot in this region famous for its terraced rice fields. Running amidst the golden rice paddies makes the journey even more memorable.
At times, the route unfolds before the eyes, revealing terraced rice fields winding along the mountain slopes. At other times, the course takes athletes through villages where large crowds of Hmong and Thai people stand along the roadside cheering them on. Then, there are long, steep slopes and winding trails through the mountains and forests.
Each terrain evokes a different feeling, and the deeper you go along the trail, the more captivating the beauty of Mu Cang Chai becomes.
Mr. Ha Tho, an athlete from Bac Ninh participating in the 25km race, said: "The scenery in Mu Cang Chai is very beautiful, the people are friendly, especially the children. They waved and shook hands with the athletes very enthusiastically. I was very impressed and will definitely come back here next time to conquer the 50km distance."
Beyond conquering challenging terrain, the athletes also get closer to the life of the highlands. Houses nestled on the mountainside, the cheers of the locals, rice paddies in harvest season... all become unforgettable memories along the race route.
5 years - a journey of growth
2026 marks the 5th year of the Mu Cang Chai Ultra Trail Race, the 2025 season being canceled due to heavy rain and flooding. From its inaugural season in 2020 with over 200 athletes, the race has now attracted nearly 3,600 domestic and international participants.
The scale of the race has also been expanding. This year, the race features six distances: 12 km, 25 km, 55 km, 75 km, 100 km, and 160 km. The distances are designed to suit a wide range of athletes, from beginners in trail running to professional and experienced runners.
This year, Mu Cang Chai is the venue for the 2026 Asia Trail Master Finals in the 75km distance. The event brings together trail runners, helping to bring Mu Cang Chai's name to the forefront of the trail running community in the region and internationally.
Mr. Nguyen Hoa Khanh, Head of the Organizing Committee of the Mu Cang Chai Ultra Trail Race, said: "This year, for the first time, Vietnam is hosting the Asia Trail Master International Finals with nearly 100 athletes in Mu Cang Chai. This affirms the attractiveness of the destination and the quality of the race, while also creating a positive signal for the development of local tourism ."
From the running route to the tourist destination
If for athletes, each course is a challenge, then for Mu Cang Chai, every step they take contributes to opening doors to promoting the image of the highland land and its people. The race route here is intertwined with the landscape: mountains, forests, terraced rice fields, villages, and people are all part of what makes the race so attractive.
From the golden fields where you can run, Mu Cang Chai emerges not only as a destination for sports enthusiasts, but also as a place to explore nature, culture, and the lives of the local people.
After 5 years, starting with over 200 athletes, the Ultra Trail Mu Cang Chai has attracted nearly 3,600 participants and created its own unique mark. On the winding trails through the vast forests, each athlete not only seeks achievement but also brings back experiences, capturing stunning images and their own stories about Mu Cang Chai.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/duong-chay-ultra-trail-va-hanh-trinh-thuc-day-du-lich-post911042.html
