Kolon FnC, the outdoor brand of Kolon Industries, has launched an international trail running competition in Bhutan, aiming to penetrate the global market. A total of 152 participants from 27 countries joined local athletes to race on the mountainous course.
Kolon Sports announced that the 'Kolon Trail Run Bhutan 2026' took place from October 28 to 31. The participants included 76 local athletes and 76 international competitors, marking the largest trail running event ever held in Bhutan.
The race course started at an altitude of 2,300 meters in Paro, western Bhutan, and finished at 2,700 meters in the capital, Thimphu, covering a total distance of 41.8 kilometers. The highest point reached 4,000 meters, with a total elevation gain of 2,700 meters. Competitors had a time limit of 15 hours to cross the finish line, from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Kolon Sports designed the course to reflect Bhutan's spiritual culture, divided into four segments. The event was officially recognized as a UTMB Index 50K race, meaning that finishers' times would contribute to their individual UTMB Index.
Participants acclimatized to the altitude through hiking programs on the first two days. The main race began at 4 a.m. local time on October 30, with 139 runners starting the race. Of those, 112 completed the course, resulting in a completion rate of 80.6%.
Among the competitors were Lee Ha-neul and Yang Hee-jong from the Kolon Athlete Team. Lee finished fifth in the women's category with a time of 8 hours, 47 minutes, and 37 seconds.
A Kolon Sports representative stated, "Trail running is a market where products, community, and events are interconnected. This event allows Kolon Sports to build relationships with global trail runners and industry stakeholders, positioning us to compete with leading trail running brands worldwide."
Additionally, Kolon Sports has been collaborating with the Korea Forest Service and the Korea Mountaineering and Trekking Support Center since last year to promote the 'East-West Trail.' This initiative aims to develop the country's first long-distance backpacking trail, with plans to open all sections by October next year.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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