Thai runners dominate Pattaya Marathon 2001

10,000 athletes take to the streets

In the pre-dawn darkness of Sunday, July 15, 10,000 athletes answered the starter’s pistol and set out to conquer Pattaya’s streets. When the sun began to rise and the tropical heat became increasingly unbearable, only the fit survived, and only the fittest prospered.

Boonchu Chantadecha won the men’s international open division of the 42k marathon with a time of 2 hours, 36 minutes, 12 seconds.

This year, Thailand’s best long distance runners dominated the podium in the Pattaya Marathon 2001; the 8th time this grueling test of endurance has been run in this coastal resort.

Thai national team member Boonchu Chantadecha won the men’s international open division of the 42k marathon with a time of 2 hours, 36 minutes, 12 seconds.

Sunisa Sailomyen was the fastest woman in town, winning the women’s division of the marathon.

It was Boonchu’s 5th time participating in the annual event, but the first time he attempted to run the marathon. In his previous 4 appearances, Boonchu won the half marathon twice and finished 2nd in the half-marathon twice.

For his efforts, Boonchu won B205,000 cash, an all-important mobile phone, and trophies for overall winner, age group winner and best Thai finisher.

Kastin Hofmann from Germany won the women’s division of the quarter marathon.

Sunisa Sailomyen, also from Thailand, won the women’s international open division of the marathon. Sunisa, who hails from Chiang Mai, won B155,000 cash, a mobile phone and trophies for overall women’s winner, her age group and best Thai finisher.

Thai Somkiat Wintachai finished second in the men’s international open division of the marathon with a time of 2 hours, 38 minutes, 50 seconds.

Back Yong-In from South Korea was the top international finisher, placing third with a time of 2 hours, 38 minutes, 56 seconds.

Royal Thai Navy Lieutenant Ms. Praphan Khamburee finished second in the international women’s open category of the marathon. Amnuay Khiemngulyam finished third.

Winners of the wheelchair marathon present their trophies

The annual event featured a 42.195 kilometer marathon, a 21.1 kilometer half-marathon, a 10.55 kilometer quarter marathon, and a 5 kilometer fun run. The events were divided into many different age groups, and included wheelchair categories.

Joining the thousands of entries from Thailand were runners from China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Russia, Germany and other European countries.

Oldest runner still running

There was one special old man running in the marathon last Sunday. 87-year-old Peng Perngsa is recorded in the Guinness Book of records as the oldest man still running marathons. A farmer from Ratchburi Province, Mr. Peng started running marathons only 9 years ago.

Mika was quika!

Mika Hakkinen (McLaren Mercedes) showed he had lost any of his concentration or focus, despite all the ‘retirement’ rumours, by taking the lead in the British Grand Prix on the 4th lap and storming away to a 33 second victory over defending champion Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) and his team mate Rubens Barichello in 3rd.

Hakkinen’s team mate, David Coulthard, 2nd in the championship points table, learned that you do not win races on the first corner - you only lose races on the first corner, after colliding with Trulli (Jordan) and then suffering a rear suspension collapse. These are lessons he should have learned a long time ago if he is ever going to accomplish his dream of becoming world champion.

Hakkinen smiles again (photo courtesy of Planet F-1 and Bothwell Photographics)

The surprises of the race were the BMW Williams team, with fast starting Montoya leap-frogging from 8th on the grid to 3rd and Ralf Schumacher going from 10th to 5th at the end of the first lap. The pace in the race shown by these two was much better than they had been able to do in qualifying, and Montoya was finally rewarded with a well deserved 4th place, but Ralf suffered a presumed engine failure and did not finish.

The other team that did well was Sauber, with young sensation of the year Kimi Raikkonen coming in 5th ahead of his team mate Heidfeld who scored the last championship point. Raikkonen is definitely championship material.

The Ferrari team had opted for a one stop strategy for the British GP, whilst most of the other teams went for a two stopper, and for once Ross Brawn, the Ferrari strategist, was caught on the wrong foot. However, nothing should be taken away from Hakkinen, who drove a faultless race, setting the new lap record and getting himself back on the top step of the podium, a position he has not had for almost 12 months.

The points score is now M. Schumacher 84, Coulthard 47, Barichello 34, R. Schumacher 31, Hakkinen 19, Montoya 15, Heidfeld 10 and Raikkonen 9.

There are six races left on the calendar and only Coulthard, Barichello and Ralf Schumacher have a mathematical chance of overhauling Michael Schumacher for this year’s title. The next round is the German GP which will be held next weekend, 29th of July.

Thailand to take on Manchester United

From the TAT - Fans of British soccer take note. The English Premier League football club Manchester United is scheduled to play against the Thai National Team at Rajmangala National Stadium, Huamark, Bangkok on July 29, 2001.

Siemens-GSM 2 Watts, and GSM 1800 are presenting the match, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. The doors open at 3:00 p.m.

For more information, please visit the web site: www.thaifootball.com

Shakey Pete’s and Three Sisters lose 4-0 but hang on to 1st and 2nd place

The Bunker takes the blows at Green Valley

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society from the Bunker

On Friday, 13th July (yes, we know!), the Bunker Boys travelled to the excellently prepared Green Valley course for their weekly medal competition. The tees were well back and the day was particularly windy, making it very difficult for the Bunker lads. Most of the competitors struggled to come to terms with the conditions and scores were so frustrating that it was difficult at times to differentiate between gross and net!

Mr. Loy and Stan “The Man” Axon came third with Tony Callen second, to the returning Ian Phillips. Nearest-the-pin awards went to Peter “Dogleg” Allcorn and the remaining two to Stan Axon. The prized Bunker Banana Booby was awarded to Chris John for finally handing in a scorecard. Well done Chris, more of the same we hope! Find out more about the Bunker Boys at http://www.thebunkerboys.com

A great punch-up for charity

Patrick ven der Bergh of Patrick’s Belgian Restaurant, will have a busy day tomorrow, which incidentally is also the Belgian National Day. In addition to being one of the organisers of the charity football matches to be held at the Nong Prue stadium, jumping out of perfectly good airplanes clutching footballs, and attempting to score a few goals himself, Patrick will be lining up for the prize fight of his career at the Sidyodthong Boxing Stadium on Saturday night.

Patrick training for his bout

There will be five Muay Thai boxing bouts, with some of the best kick-boxers from Thailand out to show their abilities, as well as blindfold boxing and a demonstration of the “Ancient style” of Muay Thai. However, Patrick van der Bergh will be competing in English style boxing, and to show just how serious he is about this fight, he has shed over 30 kg to bring him down to his ideal fighting weight.

Free shuttle busses are running from Mikes Shopping Mall to the stadium at 8 p.m. and returning at 10 pm. The Nite Beat TV crew will also be in attendance, so you may even end up on TV if you get in early.

The boxing events are being held to raise funds for the Fountain of Life Charity and the Pattaya Orphanage, and although ringside seats have been selling well, you may be lucky enough to secure one if you contact Patrick direct on 01-687 2410. This is your opportunity to see some genuine Muay Thai bouts, some novelty events, and one determined Belgian giving it his all - and all in the name of charity. The least you can do is go along and cheer for the plucky little fellow!

Women’s World Challenge Volleyball scheduled for August 29 in Pattaya

Pattaya will be hosting 32 leading beach volleyball teams from around the world in the “Women’s World Challenge” August 29 - September 2 at the Pattaya Park Hotel beach area.

Chonburi governor Sujarit Pachimnan and Pattaya city mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat, along with representatives from the Thai National Volleyball Association and the Pentangle Company discussed preparation plans at city hall.

The 32 teams will be competing for cash prizes totaling $30,000 (USD). The event will be held at the beach area in front of the Pattaya Park Hotel where the beach volleyball event took place during the last Asian Games giving Pattaya an excellent opportunity to promote tourism and the sport of beach volleyball. Thai women volleyball players will also have the opportunity to enhance their skills in the international competition.

Pattaya is supporting the event by providing an estimated B360,000 for hotel accommodations and meals for 90 players and officials involved in the games.

The Pentangle Company is in charge of promoting and organizing the competition. Pepsi and GSM have been identified as the main sponsors. The National Volleyball Association is attending to the arrangements for preparing the volleyball court areas on the beach.

Friday the 13th lucky day for Graham Davis

IPGC TAGGS Golf from The Haven

Monday 9th July - Khao Kheow (Stableford)

1st: Oradee Kaesavane, 39 pts
2nd: Ray Matti, 34 pts (cb9 20 pts)
3rd: Brian Kelly, 34 pts (cb9 17 pts)
4th: Roland Piechocki, 33 pts (cb9 20 pts)
5th: Graham Davis, 33 pts (cb9 19 pts)
6th: Serge Straeten, 33 pts (cb9 15 pts)

On a very tough day for golf with the course and the conditions being unusually difficult and playing quite long, Oradee Kaesavane turned in another fine performance with a little help from the positioning of the ladies tees, which should ensure that she goes down over the weekend. Klaus is in two minds over this, as he has promised her 1000 baht every time she goes down. Oradee won the Stableford competition going away with 39 points.

The rest of the field lagged well behind with nearly all the competitors having one good nine and one bad. It took a cornucopia of count backs to determine the rest of the podium, with Ray Matti just pipping Brian Kelly for 2nd place, both with 34 points.

Roland Piechocki, Graham Davis and Serge Straeten finished another stroke back, each with 33 points. Roland got the nod on count back, followed by Graham and then Serge.

Richard Livingston welcomed Graham Davis and Gordon Millar from Scotland, whilst welcoming back Paul Ovens, Mark Gorda and Ray Matti.

Wednesday 11th July - Bangphra (Stroke Play)

1st: Klaus Schackt, 72
2nd: Graham Davis, 73
3rd: Bob Morrison, 74 (cb9 39)
4th: Jimmy Little, 74 (cb9 34)

A strong field of players spent a great day at the always-testing Bangphra layout, with the course as ever giving nothing away. The steadiest golfer on the day turned out to be Klaus Schackt who carded and even par 72 to win the round. Still smarting from Monday’s results, he nevertheless returned a great card, just pipping the ever improving Graham Davis, who managed a gross 83 of his 10 handicap.

Bob Morrison also edged out Jimmee for third place on count back, scoring a strong 39 on the back nine.

Richard welcomed new players Paul Quodomine from the USA and David Chapman and Derek McArdle both from England but now doing their time in Australia.

Friday 13th July - Siam Golf Club (Bogey)

1st: Graham Davis, 5 up (cb9 3 up)
2nd: Harry Riley, 5 up (cb9 1 up)
3rd: Klaus Schackt, 3 up
4th: Brian Kelly, 1 up (cb9 1 up)
5th: Oradee Kaesavane, 1 up (cb9 2 down)

Graham Davis at last showed his full potential with a great round of golf. Graham finished 5 upon the course, just edging out Harry on count back, who on any other day would have walked away with the knotted putter trophy by being more consistent over the back nine.

The always competitive Klaus Schackt, 3 up, finished over Oradee to equalize the family honors for the week.

The favorite of the day, Brian “Bogeyman” Kelly, for once was unable to use his vast experience to do better than fourth, and that by a count back.

Richard welcomed back Brian Wilkinson, who intends to teach everyone to putt downhill, whilst on a (hopefully) short break from Norway.

Jeremy scrambles with Gay in winning partnership

The formidable partnership of Jeremy Coles and Gay Horan in the July 10th Shenanigans Pairs Scramble at ‘home course’ Eastern Star proved too much for the rest of the field. Off a combined handicap of 5 they returned a gross score of 68 to produce net a 63.

Some way back were runners-up John Hall paired with fast improving Alan Pearce, carding a gross 74 and a net 67.4 from their combined handicap of 6.6. Hard on their heels were Harry Riley and Bob Van Mol with a slightly better gross score of 73, but a higher net of 67.8 from their handicap of 5.2.

Gay Horan claimed two of the near pins on the 4th and 15th, Ray Woodruffe taking hole 8 and John Hall nearest on the 12th.

Im Woodruffe made it a family double by sinking the long putt on the 9th, and ‘ever present’ Herbie ‘Galaxy’ Ishinaga dropped it on the 18th.

The breezy and cool weather was kind to the players and the rain kept away. However, the recent rain at Eastern Star assisted in the fine presentation of the course, and the Zoysia repair work on the greens produced few problems, and any that were encountered were covered by an ESR Local Rule to give the option of relief. The B.100 F&B Voucher provided further relief back in the comfort of the Clubhouse afterwards.

New members were welcomed, namely John Hall, Leif Falck-Pedersen from Norway, Robert and Karen Brown, Richard Dumas and Jampa Pharaphaen, Jeremy Coles, and two short stay visitors from the Emerald Isle - David Chapman and Derek McArdle.

It was a good day and very friendly, as is the way with Shenanigans Very Friendly Golf Society.

Join us next on Tuesday July 24th for a Pairs Stableford Better Ball at Eastern Star Resort.

Updated every Friday
Copyright 2001  Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20260, Thailand
Tel. 66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax: 66-38 427 596

Updated by Chinnaporn Sungwanlek, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk.
E-Mail: [email protected]