The popular running competition will take place at Bang Wad reservoir in Kathu on the weekend of Sept 21-22 and is expected to attract thousands of local, national and overseas participants.
The race is to be divided into three separate distances of 7 kilometres, 15km and 25km, with all three catgeories open to male and female competitors and cash prizes and trophies distributed to the top three placed finishers in each.
An official press conference to announce the event was held at Central Festival shopping mall on Wednesday (Aug 21), overseen by Phuet Governor Sophon Suwannarat, who was joined by: Ratchadaporn Oin, Director of the Phuket Tourism and Sports Office; Laet Chai Hwangtrakuldi, Director from the office of Tourism and Sports; Kitti Jongchittpismai, AITR Phuket Competition Director, in addition to representatives from various government agencies, media and local residents.
Ms Ratchadaphon explained that the Phuket leg of the AITR 2024 competition is one of six races being held, with others staged in the nearby provinces of Satun, Trang, Krabi, Phang Nga and Ranong.
The course at Bang Wad reservoir will provide sufficient enough challenge to competitors while affording them opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the local environment, Ms Ratchadaphon added.
Mr Laet explained that trail running has surged in popularity in recent years and has become very much a popular trend and that the AITR Phuket event is expected to attract thousands of local, national and overseas competitors, which will provide a welcome boost to the island’s economy.
Given the nature of the race takes competitors through forest and jungle land, Mr Laet further explained that the event is a great way to showcase the natural beauty of Phuket and Bang Wad reservoir in particular.
Mr Kitti Jongchittpismai thanked everyone involved who is supporting the event, adding that he expects it to be an overwhelming success that further demonstrates Phuket’s role as a top class sports and tourist destination.
Participant numbers are limited to 700 across all three race distance. For more information visit the Andaman Trail Phuket Facebook page or contact LINE: @ThailandSportSeries.