Why Phuket Is an Underrated Running Destination

Let’s do some word association.

I’ll say a word, and you’ll pay attention to the first thing that comes to mind. Ready?

Phuket.

If I had to guess, you likely pictured incredible beaches, bumping nightlife, or an overrun tourist trap (though there are plenty of non-touristy things to do in Phuket). But what you probably didn’t picture is gorgeous trails winding through the rainforest, beachside roads with the waves crashing nearby, or an active (and accepting!) running community.

Am I right?

But Phuket actually has all of those things. Trust me, I didn’t believe it either at first. But after living there for three total years, I can say for sure that Phuket is an underrated running destination, especially if you’re looking for the perfect runcation.

And you should stop sleeping on it today. Here’s why.

Plenty of race options

Phuket has roughly 5-10 races minimum each year. So, if you’re someone who loves to travel to run races specifically, Phuket is an excellent choice.

One of the most popular is the Laguna Phuket Marathon. It has multiple race distances and draws some pretty big crowds to participate and cheer. And it goes through parts of Laguna, which is one of the more beautiful areas on the island.

There are also smaller road races that pop up frequently. Phuket Town is a popular area for these 5Ks, 10Ks, etc.

But there are also many choices for trail races. There’s the Phuket Trail race, which has distances from 10K up to 55K. There’s another trail race hosted by Thanyapura. And the nearby island of Koh Yao Yai was host of the Yao Yai Trail up until 2022.

Personally, I ran a 10K in Phuket Town (which was actually my first race ever and what hooked me on running). I also ran a 10-mile race that started at Thanyapura in 2018. And there are races in nearby areas I ran, like the 38km Monkeys Trail Race on Koh Samui (a race I won and Kaitlyn placed 2nd in!) and the 47km Takuapa Taste of Trail in 2020.

I had signed up for the Yao Yai Ultras, but it unfortunately got delayed repeatedly due to COVID. I had plans to leave Thailand before I ever had the chance to run it.

Ultimately, my point is that there are TONS of race options — whether road or trail.

There are plenty of trails to run

My three years in Phuket were spread across two separate stints.

The first was 2017-2018 when I got my TEFL and taught there briefly before hopping around Southeast Asia. The second was in 2020 (literally weeks before COVID) and stretched across two years.

That second time is when I spent arguably more time on Phuket’s running trails than I did working. And that’s when I learned just how large the island’s trail system actually was. From the rubber tree farmer trails in the Layan/Nai Thon area, to the weaving trails around Bang Wad Dam and Kathu, and the ones that lead to epic viewpoints in Phuket.

There’s even a way to run from Manik Dam (middle-north of the island) to Nai Harn Beach with minimal road running. My friends and I have dubbed the route the Kiwi Killer 50K. Name to be explained in a future post.

I spent the most time on trails in the Layan/Patong/Kathu area since it was close to where I lived at the time. But there were many runners I followed on Strava who would run in the Chalong area, down near Nai Harn, and more. If you use Strava, I strongly recommend using its heat map to find trails on the island.

Regardless, you won’t be short of trail options. I strongly recommend running from Karon Beach to Big Buddha if you’re up for a challenge and want to combine one of the best sights on Phuket with a great run. You can find the route on AllTrails here.

Phuket has a great running community

Phuket has attracted tons of coaches and fitness experts.

I don’t know if it’s the great weather, cheap cost of living, excellent food, or what — but they love it here. (Let’s be real, it’s all of those things.) And with that, you get a great running community.

You could be a casual runner who just wants to stay fit. Head to Bang Wad Dam early in the morning almost any day of the week (weekends especially), and you’ll be surrounded by people just like you. Or are you someone who wants to hit the trails? Check out the Hash House Harriers for a fun time or meet up with local groups in Kathu for a less alcohol-focused environment.

There are tons of runners — from serious to casual — who are always looking for people to run with. So, don’t be shy, get out there and meet up with other runners, even if you just meet them on the trail. That’s how I met the group of friends I ran with consistently for two years while I lived in Phuket.

The locals love running, too

As I mentioned above, there are many running groups on the island. And there are even more locals who enjoy running, on trails and on the road.

There was a group of runners (all Thai) that I’d see on the trails regularly. We followed each other on Strava, so I was able to see their activities even when I didn’t see them. But, every weekend, they’d run 50+ kilometers. Not as a competition or for training, but just to have fun. Every time I saw them, they had giant smiles on their faces and were just enjoying a day on the trails. And there’s a lot to enjoy.

It’s the same for the local dams as well. Head to any dam, pond, or lake on the island in the morning, and you’ll find locals running around it. Manik Dam was the closest area to me (besides the Laguna area where I’d see tons of runners), and there were locals there every morning when I pulled up to get my trail run in. It honestly motivated me even more to be consistent. No, I wasn’t there running with them, but we all formed our little community as we exchanged “Sawadee krap/ka” when we saw each other. I like to think they got some running motivation from it, too (who knows if that’s true though).

Regardless, whether you want the subtle motivation or have a way to connect with locals, running in Phuket is an easy way to do it!

Over to you: Will you run in Phuket?

Quite clearly, I love running in Phuket. I think so many people miss a different side of the island by not exploring the running trails or even just connecting with locals at a 5K.

The Thai people are so warm and friendly, and it’s even more true for the runners, that they welcome foreigners with open arms. So, don’t be shy. Get out there, explore, and connect. It’ll give you an entirely new appreciation for the island. If you’re looking for some trails to start with, I strongly recommend the Manik Mining Trail and the Layan Trail. Both are in beautiful areas and are great trails to get an idea of what Phuket offers.

Hopefully this post helped you. If this post helped you out, drop a comment below and let me know where you’ll be in Phuket and where you plan on running. And, if you want more, follow me on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Or, sign up for my newsletter and get everything straight to your inbox!