It was not just the Pattaya Mail celebrating its birthday this past week but also the always eagerly anticipated and popular Pattaya Marathon that last Sunday marked its 27th edition since the first running of the event way back in 1991.
Up to 10,000 road warriors, representing all age groups and levels off fitness, hit the city’s streets early Sunday morning, July 15, all with their own personal goals and targets in mind. As usual, there was a large contingent of foreign runners, both from the city’s own expat community but also those arriving specifically for the race. Representatives were seen flying the flag for Laos, China, Japan, Iran, Ethiopia and Kenya among others.
In order to cater to a wide range of athletic abilities, the event was split into several categories including a full marathon (42.195km), half marathon (21.100km), quarter marathon (10.550km), a 3.7km wheelchair race and 3.7km “fun run”. A prize fund totaling some 275,000 baht was available to the winning athletes.
In the full marathon, the first runner across the line and taking the men’s overall title was Kenyan Bernard Kiplangat Kibilo in a time of 02:44:15, over a minute ahead of Thailand’s Natthawut Phrmphinan in second place. Taking out the women’s marathon title was another Africa runner, Abtew Wubhareg Ayalew from Ethiopia in a time of 03.19.36. Both marathon winners were award 25,000 baht each and presented with trophies for their efforts.
There were cheers from the home crowd in the half marathon as Thailand’s Nattawat Innum took first place and 10,000 baht in the men’s race in a time of 01:16:12 while Cynthia Chelangat from Kenya crossed the finish line first in the women’s event in 01:25:35.
Rising from the day’s biggest field of competitors, Cherdchai Phootako from Thailand won the men’s quarter marathon with a time of 00:34:05 and Lodkeo Inthakoumman of neighbouring Laos was the female winner in 00:39:23.
Chonburi Governor Pakarathorn Thienchai and a number of Pattaya City officials presided over the marathon’s opening ceremony while the event itself was once again well supported by large numbers of local residents who lined the route and cheered on the competitors.
Note: For more news on the Pattaya Marathon wheelchair race.
