Partho Saha first Bangladeshi to finish 100-mile Ultra Trail Race

The race was held on December 6, 2025, in Thailand. UTMB Chiang Mai is one of the most prestigious Asia Major events in the UTMB World Series, which is considered the global pinnacle of trail and ultra-distance running.

Finishers of major events earn Double Running Stones, an important qualification boost toward the UTMB Mont-Blanc Finals in France.

The event featured 11 race categories ranging from 20 km to 168 km. Among them, the Chiang Dao 160M is regarded as the most demanding, with an elevation gain of approximately 8,100 metres and a maximum cut-off time of 48 hours. Runners are required to navigate rugged jungle trails, steep mountain climbs, rocky descents, waterfalls, and remote hill-tribe areas over two days and two nights.

Partho completed the gruelling course in just over 36 hours, marking a landmark achievement for Bangladesh in international trail running.

UTMB Chiang Mai 2025 attracted thousands of runners from more than 80 countries, establishing the event as a major international trail-running festival. The competition included notable races such as HMONG 50 (56 km), Elephant 100 (100 km), and the flagship Chiang Dao 160M.

Bangladesh also recorded a strong presence at the event, with five runners competing across different categories. Arif Uz Zaman and Sawan Shariar successfully completed the Elephant 100 (100 km), while Jahir Arif, Tuhin Azad, and Noshin Sharmili—the only female Bangladeshi runner at the event—finished the HMONG 50 (56 km) race.

Partho’s achievement adds to an already impressive international racing record. In 2024, he completed Nepal’s Fishtail 100, a high-altitude ultra-race with over 7,000 metres of elevation gain, where only five runners finished, making him the first Bangladeshi to do so. His endurance racing experience also includes the Ladakh Marathon (2022), Khardung La Challenge (2023), Silk Route Ultra (2024), Buddha Trail Ultra in Darjeeling, and completing the Bangla Channel swim in 2021.