Kolon Sports to Hold First Overseas Race in the "Secluded Kingdom" of Bhutan

"Kolon Trail Run Bhutan 2026" to Take Place October 28-31
First Overseas Event Directly Organized Since 1973 Brand Founding
Participation Limited to Just 200 Runners Worldwide

The secluded Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan will soon host the first overseas race organized by a South Korean outdoor brand.

Kolon Sports, the outdoor brand operated by Kolon Industries FnC Division, announced on the 28th that it will hold its inaugural overseas trail running event, the "Kolon Trail Run Bhutan 2026," locally in Bhutan this coming October.

This event marks the first time since its founding in 1973 that Kolon Sports has directly planned and managed an event overseas. Following the launch of its first domestic trail running competition in Hoengseong, Gangwon Province, in April, Kolon Sports aims to further solidify its position within the market and expand its recognition as a global brand by participating in an international competition in the second half of the year.

Kolon Trail Run Bhutan 2026 Poster Image. Kolon Sports

Kolon Sports selected Bhutan as the stage for its first overseas competition because Bhutan strictly maintains natural preservation policies, including restricting tourist numbers and imposing a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) to protect its environment. This makes the pristine Himalayan landscape of Bhutan the optimal setting for expressing the true value of trail running. As a result, Bhutan is often considered "the last uncharted dream destination" among trail runners worldwide—a place many hope to experience at least once.

The event will take place over four days and three nights, from October 28 to 31. The race course is a single 40 km route that starts at dawn in Paro, Bhutan's former capital (elevation 2,300 meters), crosses a summit rising to 4,000 meters, and leads to Thimphu, the current capital. The cumulative elevation gain reaches 2,700 meters. Runners will pass along Himalayan ridges lined with colorful 'Tarcho' prayer flags and prayer wheels, rather than city noise, before reaching the finish line in front of the 51-meter-tall golden Buddha Dordenma statue overlooking central Thimphu.

Participation is strictly limited to 200 runners: 100 from around the world and 100 local Bhutanese runners. Given the challenges of a high-altitude race, only athletes who meet certain criteria may apply: a minimum ITRA or UTMB score of 500 points, completion of a trail running event over 50 km in the past two years, or recent experience with races above 4,000 meters in elevation within the past two years, along with a medical certificate. The registration fee is $3,500.

Kolon Sports provides full support to ensure participants can focus solely on the race—including round-trip charter flights between Bangkok and Paro, assistance with Bhutanese visas and Sustainable Development Fees (SDF), three nights' accommodation at a five-star hotel, all meals, and an acclimatization hiking program at 'Taktsang Monastery' (the iconic cliffside hermitage). The event is officially operated in cooperation with the Bhutanese government and military.

A Kolon Sports official stated, "Bhutan, with its pristine nature, is the perfect stage for sharing the true spirit of trail running," adding, "Building on a half-century of outdoor expertise honed in Korea's mountains, we will leverage this inaugural Bhutan event as the launchpad to strengthen our brand's competitiveness in the global market."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.