Elevation Profile #14: BTC Ultra, Berlin, and Sapa

Elevation Profile is a weekly column from doi trail research covering the world of trail running, running fashion, and outdoor culture, with a particular eye on Thailand and Southeast Asia.

Three races across three continents last weekend. BTC Ultra brought the whole city out to the AstroPark again, Berlin delivered one of the fastest marathon fields in recent memory, and Sapa in northern Vietnam hosted new course records at the Vietnam Mountain Marathon. A full weekend. Here is everything that happened.

Sunshine Sessions

If you weren’t racing BTC Ultra on Saturday, you probably still found your way to the trail with doi trail research. In partnership with Sunshine Market and Basecamp Coffee Club, we hosted Sunshine Sessions, a beginner trail event that was limited to 50 participants.

The route went from Basecamp Coffee Club up to Wat Pha Lat and back, which carries a fair amount of elevation for someone who has never run on trail before. Bringing beginners onto the trail for their first run is what doi trail research is all about.

The doi research team led the group and shared a few things along the way. The first is effort management over pace. Trail running removes the need to hold a specific pace per kilometer, because the terrain makes that number meaningless. What matters is how hard you are working, not how fast you are moving.

The second is that hiking is a completely legitimate part of the sport, and embracing that lowers the pressure to run all the time. The third came on the descents: look further down the trail than you think you need to, and let your peripheral vision do the work of finding the right footing. That combination keeps you moving quickly downhill without freezing up on technical ground. And finally, trail running is about looking after each other and leaving no trace. Whatever you bring up the mountain, you bring back down.

After the run, we brought everyone to Basecamp's backyard for a knowledge session guided by Sunshine Market. The focus was on proper nutrition and fueling, both during a run and after, and how recovery really starts the moment you stop moving. Everyone was given protein smoothies and protein balls during the talk, and each participant left with a voucher to shop at Sunshine Market's store in Chiang Mai.

It was a great day. Some people who mostly had never run a trail exploring the forest above the city, trying something new, meeting each other, and learning how to recover properly. That is exactly what we want Sunshine Sessions to be. Thank you to Sunshine Market and Basecamp for making it happen. We’re already in talks for the next one.

BTC Ultra: Run for Freedom at the AstroPark

The BTC Ultra Trail, organized by Run for Freedom and sponsored by Binance TH, returned to NARIT, the Sirindhorn AstroPark in Chiang Mai, from September 25 to 27, 2026. The event sits at a wild intersection: trail running and digital finance education, running alongside the Freedom Money 2026 conference and the Bitcoin Learning Center Chiang Mai. Just goes to show that there’s something for everyone in this world.

Three distances were on offer. The BTC50 covers approximately 51km with 2,286 meters of elevation gain and loss, climbing out of the city basin and into the forested ridgelines above Chiang Mai before looping back. The BTC25 covers approximately 28km with 1,226 meters of gain, moving through dense forest singletracks and rolling mountain paths technical enough to challenge but smooth enough to run continuously. The BTC10 is approximately 12.5km, an introductory mountain trail that navigates the lower forested hills adjacent to the AstroPark and gives newer trail runners a proper taste of what is above the city.

All three distances carry ITRA points and UTMB Index certification, which gives everyone from first-timers to podium regulars a reason to line up.

Race day conditions added another layer. The BTC50 went off at 5am in heavy rain, and I am pretty sure it was the first time I have seen umbrellas at a trail race start. By the time the BTC25 launched, the rain had cleared but the trails were soaked and the air was thick.

After 6am, the clouds parted, the sun came up, and the wind went nowhere. What followed were wet singletracks, open skies, and heat that built steadily through the morning. Chiang Mai hit 35 degrees Celsius. On exposed ridgelines with no cover, that number felt higher. Truly only the strong persisted through. Thankfully, that was most people.

BTC50: Men's Podium

Duraka Bahduu took the BTC50 men's overall in 5:01:56, which works out to roughly a 5:56 per kilometer average across 51km and 2,286 meters of climbing. On a course with that profile, in those conditions, that is an extraordinary number. Absolute savage.

Sek Sandy Jakkaew of Hoka Thailand came in 2nd, arriving shortly after Duraka to claim a strong result on home turf. Sek has been putting in consistent performances all year: Nan Sakad podium in EP#11, CM6 i2 win in EP#12, and now a BTC50 podium in his own city. And Thosaeng Kunno of Brooo closed out the men's podium in 3rd, adding to a season that has already delivered multiple strong results.

doi hardcore boss, Bas Narathip of Kailas Thailand came in 5th overall. We last saw Bas crossing the finish line of the CCC in Chamonix in EP#13, and a few weeks later he is back on Chiang Mai's trails. That kind of recovery and turnaround says a lot about his training.

BTC50: Women's Podium

Marie Pinnell of Trailway won the BTC50 women's race in 6:23:52. Let that sink in for a moment. Less than a month ago, Marie crossed the UTMB finish line in Chamonix at 38:17:17, finishing the 168km race with her daughter Mintra. Now she is back in Chiang Mai and winning a 51km mountain race in sub-6:30 pace equivalent. Whatever she is doing in recovery, the rest of us should take notes.

Manussanun Kumpitak finished less than four minutes behind to claim 2nd, which is an impressively close chase across a course that long in that heat. Eileen Mercado closed out the women's podium in 3rd.

Dr Nisachon Morgan, who we last saw finishing UTMB as the first Thai woman in EP#13, came in 4th overall in the women's race. Going from UTMB to BTC50 in the same month and finishing 4th overall. Incredible.

BTC50: Shoutouts

A lot of doi family in this field, and it showed.

Hnong Noppadol, who we last saw finishing 3rd in the CM6 i4 in EP#12, came in 2nd in his age group. P Phatchara of AminoVital, the same guy who double-raced the CM6 i3 and i1 back to back in EP#12, claimed 1st in his age group. Great to see him continuing that form.

Fiat Peerapon had a strong comeback race, coming in 5th in his age group after a DNF at CM3 earlier this year. That is the kind of thing you train through. Congrats, Fiat. We’re excited to see you do the Pocari 100k next month!

Big Piisuth came in 2nd in his age group. A lot of his focus went to this race, so we’re happy to see him with a great result. Ronnakorn Premsri followed with 3rd in his age group right after. Manow Chutikarn also delivered, finishing 4th in her age group. And Khim Nutchaya of Storm Valley Racing Team came in 5th in her age group. Strong showing across the board.

BTC25: Men's Podium

Ivan Vlasenko took the BTC25 men's overall in 2:26:34, opening up a nine-minute gap on the rest of the field. That kind of margin on a competitive 28km mountain race is a statement.

Sai Kyin came in 2nd overall. If that name sounds familiar, we saw Sai Kyin finish 2nd in the CM6 i1 in EP#12. Consistent results in Chiang Mai this season.

Big Parattakorn of Brooo closed out the men's podium only 28 seconds after Sai, which after the nine-minute gap at the front made for a very tight battle for the minor places. Big won the CM6 i3 EVO in EP#12 and continues delivering on every start line.

BTC25: Women's Podium

Wanwisa Yimpraseart won the BTC25 women's race in 3:20:42, finishing roughly 14 minutes ahead of the second woman. In a 28km mountain race, 14 minutes is a commanding lead.

Jenthicha Seamsakul came in 2nd. Jenthicha won the CM6 i1 women's race in EP#12, and her BTC25 result continues a strong season. Lea Verdure closed out the women's podium in 3rd, adding to a year that already included an overall win at the Trail Masters Series earlier in 2026.

BTC25: Shoutouts

Again the doi crew was well represented at BTC25.

Name Samuch came in 14th overall and 6th in his age group in a highly competitive field. Samuch won 1st age group in the CM6 i2 in EP#12, and coming 14th overall in a competitive BTC25 is a solid result. Es Satjalak put together a similar day, finishing 5th in his age group while staying within the top 20 men.

One of my favorite stories from this race: Tang Nonthasak ran his very first trail race at BTC25 and came in 7th in his age group. First trail race, and it is a 28km mountain course. That is doi hardcore energy right there.

Our friend Pluem Worrapimook from Lhon Runner also had a great race, coming in 12th in his age group.

On the women's side, Bew Sireethorn finished with 3rd in her age group, and Joy Tariya of Treespoon came in 7th overall and 1st in her age group. Big congratulations to Joy on that result.

BTC10: Men's Podium

Ivan Vlasenko came back the next day for the BTC10 and won again in 43:30. The man raced the BTC25 on Saturday and the BTC10 on Sunday, and both times he set the pace from the gun and nobody caught him. Remarkable back-to-back.

Vlad Demianov finished 1:45 behind Vlasenko to claim 2nd. And Wuttiphiang Naruebodin closed out the men's podium in 3rd. If that name rings a bell: Wuttiphiang won the CM6 i1 men's race in EP#12. Back on the podium.

BTC10: Women's Podium

Umaporn Loongsor won the BTC10 women's race in 56:35, about six minutes clear of the second woman. Sarinyarat Kitwacharawong came in 2nd, and Thitiporn Titprasaoe finished off the women's podium in 3rd.

BTC10: Shoutouts

Toon Suda Tantiveerasut of Hoka Thailand came in 5th overall. We saw Toon PR her UTMB time in EP#13 at 42:40:48, all smiles on the descent into Chamonix. Although she claims this is her offseason, it’s great to see her continue her season with some short trail.

Wairanyupa Naruemolnapakorn from Altra Thailand came in 4th in her age group, and doi hardcore's Boyd Kittikun also had a strong day with 12th in his age group. Good showing from the doi family across all distances this weekend.

BMW Berlin Marathon 2026

The 52nd BMW Berlin Marathon took place on Sunday, September 27, in Berlin, Germany, with roughly 60,000 athletes from 160 countries on the start line. The course is flat and fast: 42.2 kilometers starting near the Tiergarten on Straße des 17. Juni and finishing through the Brandenburg Gate.

The weather was close to ideal, with temperatures starting around 13 degrees Celsius and rising to about 22 by the end of the race. For a world record attempt, you could not ask for much better.

Berlin is the course where fast times happen. It has hosted more marathon world records than any other course in the world. The flat profile, the usually cool conditions, and the sheer depth of the field make it the place where barriers fall.

Berlin: Men's and Women's Podium

Ethiopia's Guye Adola won the men's race in 2:02:50, becoming one of the few men in history to run a sub-2:03 marathon. He was followed by fellow Ethiopian Gemechu Dida Diriba in 2:03:19 and Tanzania's Gabriel Gerald Geay in 2:03:59. Three men, all under 2:04, on the same course on the same day. That kind of depth at the front of a major marathon does not happen every year.

On the women's side, Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa won in 2:11:04. She was on pace to challenge the world record through the 40-kilometer mark before the final kilometers took their toll. Even so, 2:11:04 is an elite performance on any stage. Assefa continues to be one of the most compelling figures in women's marathon racing.

Cruise Control and Carnival in Berlin

Our friends from Cruise Control Run Club had a strong team out in Berlin. Kan Kantapong, Art Laddaklom, Ice Naksit, and KK Krirakrit all crossed the line under four hours. Well done, fellas. The level of consistency with these guys when it came to training was super inspiring to see. For all of them to go under sub-4 for their first marathon must be such a great feeling.

And they were not alone. Pint Anupong, cofounder and CEO of Carnival, was also in Berlin and claimed his 3rd marathon major star with a sub-4 finish. The representatives of running fashion in Thailand keep showing up on start lines around the globe, and we’re super proud to see it. The same discipline that builds a brand builds a marathon base. Congrats, Pint.

Vietnam Mountain Marathon: Records Fall in Sapa

The Vietnam Mountain Marathon is the longest-established ultra-trail race in Vietnam, held annually in the Sapa region of Lào Cai Province in the north of the country since 2013. Organized by Topas, it sits in the World Trail Majors series and draws roughly 4,000 to 5,000 runners from up to 50 countries across multiple distances: 10km, 21km, 50km, 70km, and the flagship 100km and 100-mile categories. The 100km course features over 5,300 meters of elevation gain, traversing high ridges and deep valleys above Sapa.

This year's 100km race produced two of the most significant results in the event's history.

VMM 100km: Man Kumar and Hau Ha Rewrite History

Man Kumar Roka Magar of Nepal won the men's 100km in 11 hours, 42 minutes, and 37 seconds, finishing well over an hour ahead of the next male competitor, Aleksei Beresnev.

Man Kumar led from the earliest checkpoints and shattered the previous course record. Sponsored by Kailas Fuga, Man Kumar has had himself a year, and this performance lands at the top of it.

But the story of the race was Hà Thị Hậu, or Hau Ha, the Sapa local who won the women's 100km in 12 hours, 54 minutes, and 43 seconds, finishing 2nd overall across the entire field.

Let that sink in. She crossed the line ahead of every male runner on the course except the men's champion. Racing on home soil, in the mountains she knows, she set a new female course record and delivered one of the most complete performances in VMM history.

Hau Ha is sponsored by Kailas Fuga alongside Man Kumar, and this result comes just four weeks after she secured a 7th-place finish in the women's field at the UTMB OCC in Chamonix. Sapa to Chamonix and back to Sapa in the space of a month, delivering podium results both ways. That is a remarkable stretch of racing.