Sunday’s Pattaya Marathon looks set to attract a wider group of runners, with local tourism officials saying new groups of Asian tourists have expressed interest in the race.
“Tourists from Japan, Malaysia and Singapore are very interested in joining the event,” said Passalin Saewarat, deputy director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Pattaya office. “This race is becoming more well-known, like races in Bangkok and Khon Kaen.”
Race organizers, city officials and sponsors pose with runners following the July 12 press conference to announce details of this weekend’s King’s Cup Pattaya Marathon.
The event also features half- and quarter-marathons, a wheelchair marathon and a 3.5km students race.
The first three runners past the post in the full marathon will receive 200,000, 70,000 and 50,000 baht, respectively. The top Thai female and male finishers will each receive 70,000 baht. Only Thais will be eligible for prize awards in the half-marathon. The top three finishers will receive 40,000, 20,000 and 10,000 baht, respectively. The top-three finishers in the wheelchair marathon will win 25,000, 20,000 and 15,000 baht, regardless of nationality.
The marathon route (Red on the map) will take the runners from the start point on Beach Road out on Sukhumvit Road heading towards Sattahip as far as the Wat Khao Cheejan turn-off and then back to Pattaya via Jomtien and Khao Phratamnak.
The half marathon (Green) and quarter marathon (Blue) will follow a similar route except that runners will turn for home at Soi Wat Boon and the Lotus Thepprasit respectively before heading back via Jomtien Beach and South Pattaya.
As always, the marathon will be accompanied by the usual forms of periphery entertainment including live music, dancing and market stalls along Beach Road throughout the weekend.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome said the city has finished preparations and has set the route, water-service points and security plans. More than 1,000 police and volunteers will staff the race route.
Persons still wishing to take part in the event can still register by calling 02-711-5500 or go to the website: www.pattaya-marathon.net.
