UTMB Chiang Mai 2026: Dates, Races & Registration
Last updated: August 2026
HOKA Chiang Mai Thailand by UTMB is Thailand's UTMB World Series event, run across Doi Inthanon, Chiang Dao and the hills around Chiang Mai from 27 November to 6 December 2026. Seven races from 20K to 160K, all in the cool, dry season.
27 Nov – Sun, 6 Dec 2026
Chiang Mai — Doi Inthanon, Chiang Dao and Chiang Mai PAO Park
160K · 100K · 50K · 20K
UTMB Chiang Mai: what the event actually is
UTMB Chiang Mai is the biggest trail week in the country and the reason a lot of runners plan their whole year around late November. It is part of the UTMB World Series, so finishing earns Running Stones towards UTMB Mont-Blanc — but plenty of people come for the 20K and the atmosphere rather than the index points. The 2026 event window runs 27 November to 6 December 2026, spread over two weekends and three areas: Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Dao, and Chiang Mai PAO Park closer to the city. That spread matters when you book — the venues are not next door to each other. If you're new to running in Chiang Mai, this is the easiest week of the year to arrive cold and find company: the city fills with trail runners, shakeout runs appear on every LINE group, and the weather is about as good as Thailand gets.
When Is UTMB Chiang Mai 2026?
| Race | Distance | Date (2026) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAGODA 50 (Day & Night) | [confirm exact distance/elevation from chiangmai.utmb.world] | 28 Nov | Doi Inthanon National Park HQ |
| INTHANON 20 + Warm Up Run | [confirm exact distance/elevation from chiangmai.utmb.world] | 29 Nov | Doi Inthanon National Park HQ |
| ELEPHANT 100 | [confirm exact distance/elevation from chiangmai.utmb.world] | 4 Dec | Wat Nhong Bua Noi |
| CHIANG DAO 160 + Warm Up Run | [confirm exact distance/elevation from chiangmai.utmb.world] | 4 Dec | Wat Tham Chiang Dao |
| HMONG 50 (Day & Night) | [confirm exact distance/elevation from chiangmai.utmb.world] | 5 Dec | Chiang Mai PAO Park |
| SUTHEP 20 (Day & Night) | [confirm exact distance/elevation from chiangmai.utmb.world] | 5–6 Dec | Chiang Mai PAO Park |
| CHEDI 20 | [confirm exact distance/elevation from chiangmai.utmb.world] | 6 Dec | Chiang Mai PAO Park |
How to Register for UTMB Chiang Mai 2026
Registration opens Wednesday 1 July 2026 at 10:00 (GMT+7) on chiangmai.utmb.world. The first 48 hours are a priority window for runners holding a UTMB Index; after that it opens to everyone. Entries stay open until 31 October 2026, 10:00 (GMT+7), or until the race sells out — whichever comes first. There is no lottery and no waitlist, so it is genuinely first come, first served. The popular shorter races at the city venues are the ones that go first; if you want a specific race, sign up in July rather than October.
Which Race Should You Choose?
CHIANG DAO 160
The flagship ultra, starting at Wat Tham Chiang Dao on 4 Dec. Multi-night, remote, and only sensible if you have finished a 100K and know how to manage a second night out.
ELEPHANT 100
4 Dec from Wat Nhong Bua Noi. The classic hundred: a long day and a full night on the hills. Solid choice for experienced ultra runners chasing Running Stones.
PAGODA 50 / HMONG 50
PAGODA 50 runs at Doi Inthanon on 28 Nov, HMONG 50 from Chiang Mai PAO Park on 5 Dec. Both offer day and night starts. A big step up from a trail marathon but doable on one long night of sleep, not two.
INTHANON 20 / SUTHEP 20 / CHEDI 20
The 20K races are the entry point and where most first-timers land. Hilly but manageable if you run regularly and are comfortable walking climbs. SUTHEP 20 and INTHANON 20 have Warm Up Run or night options, and CHEDI 20 on 6 Dec closes the week at the city venue.
Getting to Chiang Mai
From Bangkok
- directionsFly: about 1 hour from Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK) to Chiang Mai (CNX). Dozens of flights a day, cheapest booked well ahead of race week.
- directionsOvernight train: sleeper from Krung Thep Aphiwat (Bang Sue) takes roughly 12–13 hours and arrives in the morning. Book second-class lower berths early.
- directionsBus: overnight coaches from Mo Chit take 9–11 hours and are the cheapest option, but the worst prep for a mountain race.
Race week is peak season in Chiang Mai — book flights and hotels as soon as your entry is confirmed.
From Phuket and the south
- directionsDirect flights Phuket (HKT) to Chiang Mai (CNX) take around 2 hours; there are only a handful a day, so book early.
- directionsOtherwise connect via Bangkok, which adds most of a day.
Getting to the start venues
- directionsDoi Inthanon National Park HQ is roughly 2 hours by road from Chiang Mai city — arrange a driver or shuttle the night before rather than driving yourself at 3am.
- directionsWat Tham Chiang Dao is about 1.5 hours north of the city.
- directionsChiang Mai PAO Park is close to the city and reachable by Grab in 20–30 minutes.
Check the official event site for shuttle bus schedules — they change each year.
What to Expect on the Trails
Chiang Mai trail running is steep rather than technical. Expect long, sustained climbs on forest track and singletrack, dusty descents, root and rock sections in the shaded gullies, and occasional stretches of concrete through hill villages. Doi Inthanon is the high, cool, cloud-forest end of the spectrum; the PAO Park and Suthep courses are drier and closer to the city. Late November and early December is Northern Thailand's cool, dry season — roughly 15–25°C, with genuinely cold mornings on Doi Inthanon and warm afternoons lower down. Rain is still possible early in the window, so pack a jacket even if the forecast looks settled. The local support is a big part of why people come back. Hill villages turn out along the course, aid stations serve Thai food alongside the usual gels and fruit, and the finish areas run late into the night. Learn a couple of words of Thai — it goes a long way.
Practical tips for UTMB Thailand
Bring layers for Doi Inthanon
The summit area is the coldest place in Thailand. A light jacket and gloves for a night start are not overkill, even though you'll be in a singlet by mid-morning.
Train the climbs, not the distance
The vertical is what breaks people here. Hills, stairs and hiking with poles will do more for you than extra flat kilometres.
Arrive at least two days early
Bib collection, the mandatory kit check and the travel to remote start venues eat more time than you expect.
Check the mandatory kit list
UTMB World Series events enforce kit checks. Read the current list on chiangmai.utmb.world before you pack — items change year to year.
UTMB Chiang Mai 2026 FAQs
When is UTMB Chiang Mai 2026?expand_more
The 2026 event window runs from 27 November to 6 December 2026, with races at Doi Inthanon National Park, Wat Nhong Bua Noi, Wat Tham Chiang Dao and Chiang Mai PAO Park.
When does registration open for UTMB Thailand 2026?expand_more
Registration opens Wednesday 1 July 2026 at 10:00 (GMT+7) at chiangmai.utmb.world. The first 48 hours are reserved for UTMB Index holders, then entries are open to all runners until 31 October 2026, 10:00 (GMT+7) or until sold out. There is no lottery and no waitlist.
Can a beginner run the shorter UTMB Chiang Mai races?expand_more
Yes — the 20K races (INTHANON 20, SUTHEP 20, CHEDI 20) are where most first-time trail runners start. They are hilly, so train on climbs and be happy walking the steep sections, but they are within reach if you already run regularly.
What is the weather like at UTMB Chiang Mai?expand_more
Late November and early December is Northern Thailand's cool, dry season, roughly 15–25°C, which makes for ideal trail conditions. Mornings on Doi Inthanon are genuinely cold, and rain is still possible early in the event window.
What should I pack?expand_more
Trail shoes with real grip, a hydration vest, headtorch and spare batteries for the night races, a light waterproof, and warm layers for high-altitude starts. Always cross-check against the mandatory kit list on the official event site.
How do I follow the race live?expand_more
UTMB World Series events publish live tracking and results through the official event site and the UTMB live platform during race week — the link goes live a few days before the first start.
Editions
Every running of this event lives on this page — no separate page per year.
| Year | Date | Distances | Status | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 27 Nov – Sun, 6 Dec 2026Registration opens 1 July 2026, 10:00 (GMT+7) | 160K, 100K, 50K, 20K | Upcoming | |
| 2025 | 30 Nov – Sun, 7 Dec 20256th edition; main race weekend 4–7 Dec | CHEDI 20, INTHANON 20, SUTHEP 20 (Day & Night), INTHANON 50, HMONG 50 (Day & Night), ELEPHANT 100, CHIANG DAO 160 | Completed | |
| 2024 | 5 Dec – Sun, 8 Dec 20245th edition; first year at Chiang Mai PAO Park and as HOKA Chiang Mai Thailand by UTMB | CHEDI 10, SUTHEP 20, HMONG 50, ELEPHANT 100, TRANS-INT 160 | Completed | |
| 2023 | 7 Dec – Sun, 10 Dec 20234th edition, based at Royal Park Rajapruek | RAJAPRUEK 10, PALACE 20, HMONG 50, ELEPHANT 100, TRANS-INT 160 | Completed | |
| 2022 | 9 Dec – Sun, 11 Dec 20223rd edition, as Doi Inthanon Thailand by UTMB | TRIBES 10K, TERRACE 20, PAGODA 50, CLIFFS 100, SUMMIT 160 | Completed | |
| 2021 | 11 Dec – Sun, 12 Dec 20212nd edition; categories were spread across Oct–Dec, flagship race 11–12 Dec | 10K, 20K, 54K, 100K | Completed | |
| 2020 | 30 Oct – Sun, 1 Nov 20201st edition, run as Thailand by UTMB at Doi Inthanon | 10K, 20K, 80K | Completed |
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Planning a trip around the race?
Racing is one week; the rest of your trip needs somewhere to run. Browse our route guides for parks, loops and trails across Thailand, or find a group to run with while you're here.