V Trail in Laos with Jeff Campbell and Alessandro Sherpa

The Asia Trail Master Championship series continues in Laos this weekend with the 5th edition of the V-Trail, the country’s first major trail running event since 2018. It is known as one of the more scenic, but also one of the toughest ‘jungle trails’ on our circuit. The event has remained largely unchanged with Vang Vieng, a tourist town between Vientiane and Luang Prabang as host.

This season the 55km will attract most attention as the points race for the ATM ranking and thanks to the participation of reigning ATM Champion Jeff Campbell and 2018 Champion - and V Trail race winner that year - Alessandro Sherpa. For both runners it will be the second race of their season, meaning they both can score their wild cards for the 2025 ATM Final at Mu Cang Chai Ultra Trail in Vietnam on 4 October. Incidentally, Campbell and Sherpa also won their first race in Season 10. Campbell was superb in Prenn Trail Summit in Dalat, Vietnam, last December. A few weeks later, Sherpa returned to his winning ways with a great run in Tahura Trail in Bandung, Indonesia. On Saturday, we could see a nice battle between the two. Campbell may have more natural speed, but Sherpa - on his day - has a large toolbox on technical trails like those in Vang Vieng - plus he has already done this race before and knows what he is getting into. In fact, Sherpa has been staying in Luang Prabang for several weeks already, too.

Bali’s Nizar Surydratama, ATM Finalist last year, is one of the other podium contenders, along with Thailand’s Amorn Kimnguan, also a double ATM Finalist in 2023 and 2024. There’s quite a few international names on the start list as well, so we might get a few surprises. One major podium and even victory contender is Danon Rattanatumrong, but he is running the Grandmaster-only distance of 86km this weekend.

In the women’s 55km race, Tara Savage may be the one to beat on paper. Local Laotian runner Toukta Inthavong may be the biggest challenger. She came third in last October’s Luang Prabang Trail.

ATM will be reporting live from V Trail from start to finish on Saturday on the usual socials.