Building Vietnam’s Epic Trail Races with David Lloyd

In this lively episode of the One More K Podcast, hosts Markus and Ned welcome David Lloyd, the man behind Vietnam’s thriving trail running scene and Topas Trail Series. From his early days of exploring the rugged Welsh mountains to creating Vietnam’s first major trail races, David shares the unexpected journey that led him to establish the Vietnam Mountain Marathon and other iconic races. With a mix of humor and insight, David recounts how a passion project that started with a handful of runners has now grown into a full-fledged movement, attracting thousands of participants from around the world. David reveals the unique challenges of organizing trail races in a rapidly developing country like Vietnam, where new concrete roads often encroach on traditional trails. Despite these obstacles, he and his team have built a series of trail races that highlight Vietnam’s stunning landscapes, from the remote jungles of Phu Luong to the towering peaks of Sapa. He explains how the races have evolved over the years, balancing the influx of international tourists with the growing number of local runners who have embraced the sport with enthusiasm. But the episode isn’t just about logistics and race organization. David reflects on the vibrant sense of community that sets Vietnamese races apart, where runners stay long after crossing the finish line to enjoy local food, cold beer, and new friendships. With plenty of laughs and behind-the-scenes stories, this episode offers an inspiring look at how one man’s love for the mountains has sparked a trail running revolution in Southeast Asia. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction of David Lloyd (06:05) David’s journey to Vietnam (07:50) The story behind Topas trail races (10:40) Role of tourism in trail running (14:50) The highlights of Topas’ races (19:30) Managing rural development and changes in trails (24:05) Working with local governments (27:30) How to deal with the growth in trail running & events (34:30) Where to take the Topas Trail Series? (37:00) What’s special about Vietnam trail running? (39:45) David speaks Vietnamese (42:40) Ned’s Drop - https://www.instagram.com/vietnamtrailseries/ - https://www.instagram.com/d.a.v.i.d_l.l.o.y.d/ - https://vietnamtrailseries.com/ Supported by Lecka Nutition (www.getlecka.com)