From Sapa's Hills to Sierra's Peaks: Ha Thi HAU's Engine of Grit

AUBURN, CA – July 02, 2026 – In the world of ultrarunning, victory isn’t always measured by breaking the tape. Sometimes, it’s measured in personal milestones, in securing a return to hallowed ground, and in the quiet, powerful statement an athlete makes for their community. Last weekend, Kailas FUGA Team’s Ha Thi HAU of Vietnam demonstrated all three, conquering the world’s oldest 100-mile trail race, the Western States Endurance Run (WSER), with a performance that reverberated far beyond the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Finishing 9th in a historically deep women's field, HAU crossed the finish line at Placer High School in Auburn with an official time of 16 hours, 40 minutes, and 38 seconds. The result was a significant personal achievement at the 100-mile distance and, crucially, earned her a coveted “Golden Ticket”—an automatic entry to return and compete in the 2027 edition of this prestigious event. It was a victory of perseverance, a testament to the unseen engine of support and strategy that powers an individual effort over such a grueling distance.

The Measure of a Mile

The Western States 100 is more than a race; it's a pilgrimage. It winds 100.2 miles from Olympic Valley to Auburn, California, demanding runners ascend over 18,000 feet and descend nearly 23,000 feet through remote and rugged wilderness. To finish is an honor; to place in the top ten is to join the sport's elite.

HAU’s performance was a masterclass in endurance and strategy. For much of the race's latter stages, she was supported by pacer and fellow Kailas FUGA teammate Max KING, an accomplished ultrarunner in his own right. In ultrarunning, a pacer is a critical component of the race-day machinery—a combination of strategist, motivator, and logistical support who helps their runner navigate the physical and mental darkness that descends after 60, 70, or 80 miles. KING’s presence was a clear example of the collaborative spirit behind HAU's individual achievement, a reminder that even in a solo sport, success is often a team effort.

Her top-ten finish builds on an impressive sixth-place performance at the same race in 2025, cementing her status as a consistent contender on the world stage. This year's result wasn't just a number on a results page; it was a qualification, a promise of return, and another powerful chapter in a remarkable journey.

A Runner Forged in Van Son

To understand HAU’s drive, one must look to her origins in the mountainous village of Van Son, Vietnam. Her life story is a powerful counter-narrative to the polished image of a professional athlete. Growing up running through hills and forests laid a natural foundation, but her path was anything but linear. After being denied entry to a physical education university program for being just two centimeters shy of the height requirement, she moved to Sapa for work.

Personal challenges, including a divorce and the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on her tourism job, led her back to running in 2020 as a form of release. The results were immediate and explosive. Within two months of dedicated training, she won her debut 21km race at the Vietnam Mountain Marathon (VMM). Two years later, in a stunning display of dominance, she returned to VMM to win the 100km race outright, beating not only all the women but every male competitor—a historic first for the Asia Trail Master Championship series.

As a single mother, HAU’s journey is one of profound resilience. She has become a symbol of what is possible when grit meets opportunity. “Trail running has taught me many things including the traits of perseverance and generosity,” HAU commented. “Beyond the discipline of training, I want to share the sport with others and give back to those around me. I have benefitted so much and I hope others can enjoy it too.”

Building a Legacy Beyond the Finish Line

For HAU, the finish line is not an end point but a platform. Her success is inextricably linked to her mission to uplift her community in Sapa and inspire a new generation of runners in Vietnam, particularly women who face immense societal pressures. In 2026, she formalized this commitment by establishing the Kailas FUGA Sapa Team, an initiative with seven local athletes aimed at promoting high-level training and developing trail running skills in her home country.

This act of building a local institution is where HAU’s impact transcends sport. She is creating an engine for future talent, providing the structure and support that she herself found through community. It’s a direct investment in the people and places that shaped her, ensuring her legacy is not just a collection of medals but a sustainable pathway for others.

This ethos aligns perfectly with that of her sponsor. “At Kailas FUGA, as a global brand we want to inspire more female runners to go into trail running and find their power in nature both with opportunities and relevant products,” explained Brand Director Nina Sun. “HAU demonstrates how she has found her power, not only working hard on the trail but also inspiring others.”

The Strategic Ascent of Asian Ultrarunning

HAU’s performance is a key data point in a larger trend: the formidable rise of Asian athletes in global ultrarunning. She was not the only athlete from the continent in the top ten; fellow Kailas-sponsored runner Fuzhao Xiang of China also secured a top finish. This is no accident. It is the result of a confluence of raw talent, dedicated community building, and strategic brand investment.

Brands like Kailas FUGA are playing a pivotal role, identifying and nurturing talent from a region hungry for competition. The company’s establishment of the FUGA Mountain Club (FMC) in China in 2018 and its recent media licensing partnership for WSER in the Chinese-speaking region are calculated moves to cultivate and engage this rapidly growing market. By providing elite athletes like HAU with global platforms and resources, they are accelerating the shift in the sport’s competitive landscape.

The global race organizers are taking note as well. The expansion of Golden Ticket races into Asia has created more direct pathways for the region’s best to compete at benchmark events like Western States. Ha Thi HAU is not just participating in this new era; with her consistent world-class results and her iconic non la (Vietnamese conical hat) held high at finish lines, she is one of its most visible and inspiring architects.