This article was written by U.S. Mountain Running Team Member Corey Dowe (pictured above, left) who competed at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships last month in Chiang Mai, Thailand. She competed in the “classic” up/down mountain running race where she finished in 23rd position.
People keep asking, “How was Thailand?” My initial response being, “It was such a great experience, the Thai people were so friendly and welcoming, and the U.S. Team was so nice,” because how do you capture a 24-hour journey to the opposite side of the world into a quick one liner. Let’s give it a better try…
The trail running community is relatively small, everyone is unique, and we runners are kind of all strange anyways, so I shouldn’t have been nervous about meeting new people going into the trip, but I was… I can be shy. I was very fortunate to have my parents travel across the world with me to support me, but when I was dropped off at the hotel and parted ways with them briefly, I was forced out of my comfort zone into a group of runners that I didn’t know and were all so talented. Once I went up to them, my nervousness faded away, because everyone was just excited to meet new people, hear each other’s stories, and share knowledge and experiences.
Corey Dowe (#770). Photo: WMTRC2021.
Day 1 – (Tuesday, Nov 1)
I was in Chiang Mai but I wasn’t with the team yet, and just wanted to get a shakeout in, so my dad borrowed a bike from the hotel and we risked our lives on the city streets dodging scooters, until we came across a park where I just ran laps. It was HOT, but who cares, I was in Thailand!
Day 2 – (Wednesday, Nov 2)
I met the team! I still had to run that day, so I connected with Zach Miller and Noah Williams and went on a run with them at the mountain, without thinking much about it. Later I learned that they are super speedsters (obviously, why else would they be there) needless to say, I gave in to the heat and tired plane legs and dropped from them as they blasted uphill.
That was our first look at the course and jungle and it was exciting! I appreciated the things that were familiar and embraced everything new in the environment around us! Palm trees, banana trees, very dry trails, a monastery, stray dogs, and a variety of jungle sounds… I wasn’t in New Hampshire anymore.
After the run, we hopped on one of the many red trucks that had been converted to 10-passenger taxis back to the hotel. We had our first team meeting, and I met my roommate – Rachel Tomajczyk (awesome person and roommate!).
Corey Dowe (#770). Photo: WMTRC2021.
Day 3 – (Thursday, Nov 3)
I went for a course preview with teammate Sam Lewis. (We went the wrong way on part of the downhill, but we got the general idea). It was still very hot, in case you were wondering. Opening ceremonies later that night were amazing! It was such an experience seeing so many countries come together and support each other. Having such a large representation from the USA in athletes, family, fans, and supporters was really special. The ceremonies ended with fireworks blasted from the top of a building right above us, adding to the excitement.
Corey Dowe (#770). Photo: WMTRC2021.
Day 4 – (Friday, Nov 4)
The races were off and running! With the great performances all around and two gold medals from the day, the vertical mountain running teams really set the bar for the weekend. We went to the closing ceremonies that night and heard the United States national anthem played twice, it felt incredible and unreal. Also incredible and unreal were the touristy things squeezed in earlier in the day… bathing with elephants and taking a bamboo raft down a river. Someone described elephant skin as feeling like a kiwi, upon further thought, I also think they kind of felt like a pig.
Corey Dowe (#770). Photo: WMTRC2021.
Day 5 – (Saturday, Nov 5)
I went for a pre-race jog with Sam Lewis and Andy Wacker to watch the finish of some of the trail races! Once again, the U.S. Trail Team crushed it! A cool part about the new race weekend format was the opportunity to connect with such talented and experienced athletes in the longer trail world that I may not otherwise cross paths with as much (I typically stick to the short mountain fun). Seeing athletes from around the world finishing their races with fierceness and grit was a great way to get pumped for the next day’s race! More podium performances helped too, of course – so cool.
Corey Dowe (#770). Photo: WMTRC2021.
Day 6 – (Sunday, Nov 6)
Classic mountain race day!! Going into the race there was definitely comfort in knowing that the course itself was not strikingly different from what I was used to racing. What I knew would be different however, was the heat and humidity in November (but the heat is there for everyone), and the competition I was up against. It was so incredible having people around for the entire uphill to push me and a pretty steady stream of talented women to chase down for the downhill and flat portions. Mountain races can be heavily spectated, but I haven’t been in too many with such a steady stream of supporters cheering you on, especially from all over the world and screaming words of encouragement in all different languages!! SO NEAT.
Finishing the race and finding out we may have gotten bronze took a while to even set in. Standing up on the podium with such talented women beside me, on the closing night was well worth the long journey. We then celebrated with other countries, Team USA got the party started on the stage (Specifically Josh Merlis, Team USA/Michelle Merlis superfan), and then we hopped in the red trucks to check out one of the night markets. It was a full day and night.
To sum up my adventure, I had no idea what to expect going into this trip with Team USA and came away with only positive memories of Thailand and my Team USA experience that will last for years to come! I can’t wait to connect with the staff and teammates at upcoming races back on USA soil, and maybe, if I am lucky, in other countries once again!
Corey Dowe (#770). Photo: WMTRC2021.
Are you planning to visit Chiang Mai, Thailand? Here are a few of my suggestions for what you can do and see.
- Go to the Free Bird Cafe (great food supporting a great cause)
- Hang with an elephant (or two or three)
- Float down the river in a bamboo raft
- Visit the Sticky Falls with a local
- Get coconut ice cream in a coconut bowl
- Get a Thai Massage
- Talk to the locals
- Check out the temples and embrace the different culture!
Corey Dowe (#770). Photo: WMTRC2021.
Additional U.S. Team Media Coverage
November 4, 2022 – Joe DeMoor Runs to New Heights – Outside Magazine
November 4, 2022 – ‘Allie Mac’ Wins World Championship, Leads Team USA to Gold – Outside Magazine
November 7, 2022 – Adam Peterman, U.S. Men Win Gold in World Championships 80km, Women Win Silver in 40k – Outside Magazine
November 8, 2022 – Alumni in Action: Blair places 13th at inaugural World Mountain and Trail Running Championships – Vail Daily
November 9, 2022 – Team USATF shines at world running championships – Sopris Sun
November 10, 2022 – Lott represents USA at world mountain running championships – Durango Herald
November 11, 2022 – Peterman’s Long Trail Gold Earns Him USATF Athlete of the Week Honors – USA Track & Field
November 16, 2022 – Interview with U.S. Men’s Gold Medal 80K Trail Team – Singletrack Podcast with Finn Melanson
November 28, 2022 – In career of ups and downs, Colorado Springs mountain runner returns a world champ – The Gazette
