The Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Lam Dong Province, located in Vietnam's Central Highlands region, has allowed the organization of a 100-kilometer forest trail run in Da Lat City, a popular tourist destination of the province, over three years after its ban.

The ban was issued following the death of a runner who was swept away by floodwaters while participating in the Dalat Ultra Trail 2020, an international marathon, in June 2020.

The victim was running across a section of the Golden Stream in Lac Duong District’s Da Sal Commune when the 40-year-old met with the accident.

The provincial department said on Sunday that it was necessary to restart such a long-distance trail run after relevant agencies spent much time evaluating the safety of the 100-kilometer-running route.

The safety assessment process was joined by several experts who are members of the organization boards of international marathons.

The 100-kilometer mountain race will just take place during the dry season in Da Lat City and neighboring areas.

The number of trail runners in Vietnam and in the world is on the rise, while the professionalism of races is increasing.

Runs with a distance of shorter than 100 kilometers are no longer attractive to professional runners.

As per the provincial department’s decision, Lam An Company, headquartered in Lac Duong District, Lam Dong Province, is licensed to organize a 100-kilometer trail run during the LAAN Ultra Trail 2023, which will be rolled out in mid-December.

As a co-organizer of the running event, Thailand’s Running Connect will be in charge of using technology for race surveillance and monitoring runners' health to ensure their safety.

The LAAN Ultra Trail 2023 is set to feature 10-, 35-, 55-, 75-, and 100-kilometer races that will traverse some pine forests of the Lam Vien Plateau from Lac Duong District to Dam Rong District and Da Lat City.

Nguyen Thanh Viet, director of Lam An Company, said that the 100-kilometer forest trail running is considered a coveted race by professional international and domestic runners.

The firm will soon map out a trail running along streams rather than crossing them.

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