The one-day, non-stop race, co-organised by Nation Multimedia Group, took place at Pung Waan Resort, with athletes from 80 teams taking part.

The exciting meet featured running, biking, jungle running, kayaking, swimming in the Kwai River and a "crazy walk" in the resort.

All contestants had to complete the course from checkpoint to checkpoint without separating from their partners.

The organisers had located signs - 30cm-long orange ribbons - on trees throughout the route to show the way for teams and prevent them from getting lost.

After the race briefing, all teams gathered at the starting point and checked their packs before the start of the adventure race.

Running along scenic trails over farm land and mountains, the competitors headed towards Kwai Noi River, where they met the first checkpoint and entered a kayaking section.

Shortly after that, the teams turned up at the second checkpoint. They checked in and then swam back to the starting line to get on their bikes.

Riding towards Khao Khiao, around five teams managed to set the pace, leaving the chasing pack behind.

Teams then left their bikes at the third checkpoint, and faced the race's real test - running in the jungle up the mountain in the hot and humid midday. It was an exhausting task for all challengers.

This section took the participating teams a long time to accomplish, as several natural obstacles barred the way. Navigation skills were also a necessity.

Thailand's Jongsak and Kiarttisak turned up first after they returned back to the bottom of the hill and swam to the third checkpoint. They were also first on their bikes back to the resort.

The Thai duo continued their way to the last mission - the crazy walk. It was not crazy at all, as they had to run around the registration area to get past a rope-bridge before running across the finishing line in 5.44 hours.

"I had a problem with my bike's front-wheel in the first 10km mark. I am very happy that I fulfilled my dream of winning a challenging event and I'm very glad to be here to win the title," said Kiarttisak, 52.

"Every section is difficult and challenging, but the jungle running was the hardest, I think. We were really weary competing in this section. I got many wounds at my hands and legs," said Jongsak.

The Thai duo took home a Bt250,000 cash voucher plus a trophy.

Yesterday's results:

Extreme Masters: Jongsak Kaew-in/Kiarttisak Prem-anan 5.44hrs; Extreme Open: Simon Thomas/Surachai Kaewlong 5.48hrs.

Adventure Masters: Struan Robertson/Mark Chewper 5.29hrs; Adventure Open: Brian Van Den Berg/Gordon Montgomerie 6.33hrs.

Somporn Suphop

The Nation