Ethiopian, Kenyan Runners Win Bangsaen 10; Thai Record Shattered
Ethiopian runner Sewmehon Anteneh Kbiret won the Bangsaen 10 race in Chachoengsao with over 12,000 competitors, while Thai athlete Pariya Sonsem set a new women's course record and earned a 100,000-baht bonus.
The Bangsaen 10 race drew more than 12,000 local and international runners, including world-class elite athletes, competing on the Bangsaen course in Chachoengsao Province, with the start and finish at Bangsaen Heritage Hotel.
In the men's overall category, Sewmehon Anteneh Kbiret of Ethiopia won with a time of 28 minutes 28 seconds, followed by Gelana Teshome Jira, also of Ethiopia, at 28:40, and James Kipkurui of Kenya at 28:45.
In the women's overall category, Janet Jepkoech Chepkemoi of Kenya claimed first place with a time of 31 minutes 43 seconds, ahead of Bernesh Dessie Mihret of Ethiopia at 32:09 and Wubrist Aschal Kassie of Ethiopia at 32:14.
Among Thai male runners, Anucha Pada took first place in 31:47, followed by Sanchai Namkhaet at 31:52 and Pongskor Suksawat at 31:56.
The standout achievement of this year's Bangsaen 10 was Thai runner Pariya Sonsem's performance in the women's race. She finished in 36 minutes 57 seconds, setting a new Thai women's course record at the event. In recognition of this milestone, Narongchai Kunpleum, the mayor of Muang Sansuk, awarded Pariya a special bonus of 100,000 baht.
The mayor expressed his delight at the record-breaking achievement, saying it was money well spent and that breaking the Bangsaen 10 course record after many years was a source of great pride.
Rat Jirojchai, Race Director, noted that the new records set at Bangsaen 10 2026 reflect not only the athletes' abilities and dedication but also represent an important driver for raising competition standards and linking sports with tourism and Thailand's soft power on the global stage.
