"Wherever there's a race, we're there." Because we are runners who love to travel.

This race is a race that I wrote retrospectively (probably a long time ago, haha). This time we went to run at the Khao Yai Half Marathon organized by Unique Running. It was the final race of the 3 races held (March 2017). Previously, there were races in Sukhothai and Ayutthaya (if I have the chance, I will review them retrospectively for you to read). The two previous races were considered to be well-organized according to the standards. As for this race, I knew before coming that the road closures and traffic on the running route might not be excellent, but it was compensated by the other good arrangements.

Landmark within the event

The scenery along the route was a mix of natural views of the Khao Yai mountains and the occasional smell of burning garbage. While not idyllic, it wasn't unpleasant either. Water was readily available throughout the course. Photographers were plentiful along the way. Overall, it was a decent experience. However, I only ran the 10 km distance, as I knew that pushing myself further might not be enjoyable. I did hear some complaints from the half marathon runners, but I didn't experience it firsthand, so I won't comment on it.

The appearance of the 10 km coin is like this.

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Restaurant & Cafe

Khao Yai offers a plethora of attractions, including numerous restaurants and cafes. During our trip, we prioritized visiting establishments that were conveniently located along our driving route, as well as those we had previously enjoyed. It's worth noting that this trip served a dual purpose: to explore the area and to indulge in a cafe-hopping adventure.

The Mew restaurant on Thanon Thana Rat features numerous photo opportunities and decent food.

Stir-fried Chicken Noodles at The Mew

Spaghetti with drunken shrimp from The Mew. This dish is decent.

Casa De Cafe: A Refreshing Surprise

While driving by, we spontaneously decided to visit Casa De Cafe. Without prior research or reviews, we were drawn in by the prospect of cool beverages on a scorching day, especially after picking up our bibs.

The Banana Choco Frappe and Matcha Latte proved to be delightful choices. The chocolate in the Frappe was particularly rich and satisfying.

Upon reading reviews later, we realized we missed out on trying their food. However, this only fuels our desire to return and explore their culinary offerings.

We opted for the Black honey toast, a charcoal-infused toast paired with cool ice cream and fluffy whipped cream, at the renowned Yellow Submarine Coffee Tank. It was a delightful treat (we'll compensate for the indulgence with a run tomorrow).

Primo Piazza's cafe zone offers a wide selection of beverages. However, as I have already sampled a significant number of drinks, I opted for a basic option this time and focused on taking photos of the exterior.

Following the concept of the blog owner, this blog is about running, eating, traveling, and taking photos with his wife (lately, it has been more about taking photos, traveling, and eating, haha).

Accommodation

The night before our run, we stayed at Khao Yai Cottage. The location was great, right at the three-way intersection leading to Khao Yai. There was a 7-Eleven at the mouth of the alley. The owner was friendly and helpful. The accommodation may be simple in style, but I think it was okay when you consider everything together. Especially the rice porridge for breakfast, I must say it was delicious! The room rate was around 1,200-1,300 baht. I can't remember exactly, so please check again at https://www.facebook.com/KhaoYaiCottage/.

The rice porridge here is delicious.

After a run, we wanted to relax in a stylish and chilled-out way, enjoying a barbecue and sipping beer surrounded by nature and mountains. The Birders' Lodge was the perfect answer. Of course, staying here requires long-term planning, as even for a Sunday night stay, we had to book 3-4 months in advance. However, it was worth it. The staff here are very attentive and clearly divide the accommodation zone from the café zone, which is located further away, making us feel very private, even though the café is very busy. The room rates start at 3,000 baht and vary depending on the size of the room. You can check the prices at https://www.facebook.com/thebirderslodge/.

We have arrived at the entrance of the accommodation zone.

The houses are spaced far apart, providing a significant degree of privacy.

He walked deep into the last one.

The interior features transparent glass walls, offering a breathtaking view of the stars for a truly immersive experience.

The evening atmosphere inside the room

The atmosphere outside is pleasant.

The hotel offers a barbecue service, which is included in the room rate. However, if you have a large appetite and want to eat more, you can order additional items separately. You can arrange with the staff to have the barbecue lit for you at a specific time.

For breakfast,

On Monday mornings, the place is relatively empty, allowing you to choose your photo angles freely.

Indulge in a signature beverage that will tantalize your taste buds.

Concluding with running events, as usual, for the year 2018, there are running events in Nakhon Ratchasima province as follows.

- Tiger Balm presents Khao Yai Trail Marathon 2018 on Sunday, November 11, 2018. For more information about the race, please visit https://www.facebook.com/tigerbalmtrail/

- The 2018 Wing Ching Chang Run will be held on Sunday, November 25, 2018. For more information about the race, please visit https://www.facebook.com/wingchingchang/.

- The 25th Phimai Mini Marathon will be held on Saturday, December 1, 2018. For more information about the race, please visit https://goo.gl/5yG6zP.

Here is a website where you can check the running schedule for the whole year. Click here to access the website. I would also like to thank you for providing information about the running event. http://www.forrunnersmag.com/index.php

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I apologize for any errors or inaccuracies in the information provided. Please feel free to suggest corrections or provide additional information. I also apologize for the quality of some of the images, as they were taken with a mobile phone camera and may not be perfectly clear.

The cameras used to capture the images in this review are:
- Canon 60D with fixed lenses 50mm f/1.8 and 18-135mm f/3.5
- Fuji X-A3 with fixed lens 52mm f/1.4
- HUAWEI P9 Plus

Follow my page for food, travel, and running adventures! https://www.facebook.com/TouristsRunner/ (Tourist Runner) Wherever there's a run, we're there to explore.

Design page for short stories, articles, and photography. https://www.facebook.com/Pinkyangmatoy/ (Pink (Yangmatoy) Design)

Thank you very much.

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.