A trail marathon for cleaner air

At the end of January 2021 I will attempt to do a completely autonomous trail marathon (that’s 42.2km mostly on trails, without any checkpoints or aid stations) to raise funds for Warm Heart Foundation. I chose this organization because it is one of the few NGO’s in the region that focuses on the environment, including air pollution. Any contribution will not only motivate me to make it to the end, it also supports a good cause. So I hope you join me!

I am asking you to pledge a certain amount per kilometer that I run. So for example if you would pledge 50 cents per kilometer and I finish the 42km, it would mean a donation of 21$. You can choose the amount by yourself, but of course the more the better!

Read on if you want to know more about why I am doing this.

The pandemic has not been easy for anyone, including me. But I have tried my best to stay busy and tried to find solutions rather than just complain. Staying active always has been important to me, but choices were suddenly very limited when lock down measures were imposed in Thailand. Luckily something positive came out of it: with gyms closed, sport clubs in hibernation and group activities discouraged, I found a new passion in trail running.

Discovering the beautiful trails of Northern Thailand has been a true delight, and a welcome relief from all the chaos and negative news we had to deal with. The region has so much to offer for outdoors lovers and I hope to be able to play a part in promoting and developing the sport when borders reopen.

Throughout 2020 I explored many areas I never visited before, some all by myself, others while participating in trail running events. They were such amazing experiences and they motivated me so much that I set the challenging goal for myself to run a trail marathon at the end of January 2021 at an event in Pai. I specifically chose this event as it was the last big event before the burning season starts. The dangerously bad air quality that we have to deal with during multiple months each year is really a big shadow looming over any outdoors experience in Northern Thailand. Sadly, it does not only affect outdoor enthusiasts, it affects millions of people without discrimination. Air pollution, fine dust particles in particular, is truly a silent killer making thousands of victims each year.

Unfortunately there is now a resurgence of Covid-19 cases in Thailand, and the event I was aiming for has been cancelled. But a goal is a goal, and I decided to follow through. Participating in an organized event is fun, but it is not essential. That’s the beauty of running! So I set out a 42.2km route that I will attempt to run on 31 January 2021. The furthest I ever ran was 30 kilometers, so as I will be doing this alone, without checkpoints or aid stations, it will be a big challenge for me. So to get some extra motivation and hopefully help a good cause, I decided to set up this campaign. Any difference we can make is worth it, no matter how small.

Smoke pollution is a crisis affecting millions of people in Northern Thailand alone. If you are not living in Northern Thailand you may not be familiar with the topic, so I invite you to have a look at the short documentary above that will open definitely open your eyes.

All the best and thanks from the heart!

Bram