ULTRA NAKA–NAKEE TRAIL 2026 concluded with Vietnamese and Belgian runners triumphing as champions over two days across two provinces, Bueng Kan and Nakhon Phanom.
The ULTRA NAKA–NAKEE TRAIL 2026, themed “BELIEF × NATURE — Come to Believe,” concluded fully on 25 Oct 2026 at Ban Phaeng Municipality, Nakhon Phanom. Thai runners and leading athletes from 15 countries tested their endurance over two days and two provinces, covering seven distances. Phu Langka National Park, home to the Naga and Nakkee caves, was central to the event, which offered total prize money of 152,000 baht.
A highlight this year was Quang Tran from Vietnam and Vanja Cnops from Belgium, who both won on both days in the NAKA 30 and NAKEE 34 distances. Vietnamese runners also excelled by sweeping the longest NAKEE 50 category for both men and women, demonstrating the international caliber of athletes and the readiness of the Mekong riverside trail to advance to world-class competition.
The event began with a press conference on 23 Oct 2026 at the Mekong Riverside Pavilion in Bueng Kan. Suraphol Charoenphum, Governor of Bueng Kan Province, presided over the event. Runners then collected race gear at Bueng Khong Long Municipality and participated in CPR & AED emergency life-saving training and a 3-kilometer NAKA Warmup Parade to prepare for the race.
On the first day, NAKA DAY, 24 Oct 2026, Thongsak Thongsri, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Sports Authority of Thailand and National Sports Development Fund, officially started the runners at Bueng Khong Long Municipality, Bueng Kan Province. The event was attended by provincial executives and related agencies in large numbers.
The first day featured three distances: NAKA 30 (30 km with 550 meters elevation gain), NAKA 12 (11.5 km), and NAKA 5 (6 km). Runners experienced natural trails linking key tourist sites in Bueng Kan Province, including the Kinaree Waterfall and the Naga Cave.
On the second day, NAKEE DAY, 25 Oct 2026, Lieutenant Colonel Adisak Noisuwan, Governor of Nakhon Phanom Province, officially started runners in the NAKEE 50, NAKEE 34, and NAKEE 17 races at Tad Kham Waterfall at 06:00. The longest distance, NAKEE 50, covered 48.4 km with 1,440 meters elevation gain, awarded 2 ITRA points and a 50K UTMB Index. Runners navigated multiple natural sections before finishing at Ban Phaeng Municipality, Nakhon Phanom, with a 12-hour cutoff.
In the results, Quang Tran of Vietnam won the NAKA 30 with a time of 2 hours 47 minutes 17 seconds, then took first place in the NAKEE 34 at 3 hours 58 minutes 42 seconds. Gediminas Grinius of Lithuania finished second in both distances.
For the women's category, Vanja Cnops from Belgium won both the NAKA 30 and NAKEE 34, finishing the NAKEE 34 race more than 1 hour and 36 minutes ahead of the runner-up.
In the longest NAKEE 50 distance for men, champion Trần Quốc Anh Hào of Vietnam finished in 6 hours 30 minutes 49 seconds. Thai runner Sittisak Suwannee was the top Thai finisher in this category. For women, Vân Lưu Hồng from Vietnam claimed first place with a time of 8 hours 32 minutes 37 seconds.
Winners received the “Nakkee” trophies, crafted by the Sri Samakkhi Tham Temple community enterprise in Sriwilai District, Bueng Kan Province. The enterprise directs proceeds toward education for novice monks and local children, reflecting the concept of linking sports with local identity and sustainable community development.
ULTRA NAKA–NAKEE TRAIL 2026 continues to focus on enhancing event quality under the principle “Quality Before Quantity,” emphasizing trail standards, safety, emergency medical services, rescue, and race management systems as a foundation for future certification standards.
Additionally, the event promotes sports tourism, distributing income to accommodations, restaurants, transportation, and local products. It connects key tourist sites in Bueng Kan and Nakhon Phanom provinces to help position the Northeast region as a sustainable international sports tourism destination.
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