Runners will be trotting past bleary-eyed bar hoppers as they leave the start line in the early hours of Sunday, July 27 for the 23rd edition of the King’s Cup Pattaya Marathon.
Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn presided over a July 3 planning meeting for the International Association of Athletics Federations event that will see runners from around the world bolt off the starting line at Central Festival Pattaya Beach, race up to Sukhumvit Road and throughout the city for the chance to win over 300,000 baht in prize money.
Thousands of road warriors are expected to hit the streets for the 2014 King’s Cup Pattaya Marathon on Sunday, July 27.
In addition to cash prizes and trophies for the first 4 athletes in each race category, there will also be a 50,000 baht bonus paid to anyone breaking the current Pattaya marathon records (male 2.19.35) and (female 2.42.41) or 100,000 baht if the Thai national all-comers records are broken, currently (male 2.12.32) and (female 2.21.41).
Organized this year by Matching Entertainment Co., with a budget of 2 million baht, the race will offer full, half and quarter marathons, as well as a 5 km. “fun race.” Wheelchair athletes will also have their own separate race starting at 3.00 a.m. Runners in the full 42.2 km. race will be segregated by gender and into five age brackets: 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-and-up.
Runners in the shorter races will take different routes once reaching Sukhumvit Road. Along all routes, however, police and volunteers will be providing pace cars and security.
Runners in the main marathon field will start departing Central Festival at 3:45 a.m., when many tourists are still spilling out of discos and after-hours clubs, and are all expected to cross the finish line by 9:45 a.m.
Registration in Pattaya is open until July 26 and, in Bangkok, July 20. Applications are being accepted at the Tourism Promotion Office at Pattaya City Hall, Athletic Association of Thailand offices, nationwide running clubs, schools, government agencies and state enterprises.
Prices for entry into the various races are as follows: Marathon – THB 2,800 (1,000 Thai nationals), Half Marathon – THB 2,500/800, and Quarter Marathon – THB 2,000/500. Entry to the fun run/micro marathon is free of charge.
Online registration can be made at www.pattaya-marathon.net (Thai language) or for more information call 038-251-128 in Pattaya or 02-669-6645 in Bangkok.
