While it remains unclear who actually will organize it, the Pattaya Marathon is still set to move forward, with the date set for Sunday, July 21.
The race, which draws runners from around the world, had been rescheduled last month to July 20, a day earlier than originally planned, but a spokesperson at city hall said that following discussions the race would now take place on the originally scheduled day. Juggled dates, however, may be only the start of problems for the marathon.
On June 7, Deputy Mayor Wattana Chantanawaranon announced that the city would disband the marathon’s longtime city hall organizing committee and hire an outside event-staging company to run the race. City officials refused to specify the reason for the change, citing only “unforeseen circumstances.”
Pattaya Deputy Mayor Wattana Janthawornanont.
In two meetings this month, however, bureaucrats were unable to actually decide on a company to take over the race so, as of June 19, city hall was technically still in charge.
The issue may boil down to money. Wattana said the city hall committee requested funds for jerseys, medals and other expenses from the Pattaya Permanent Secretary’s office. But as of June 7, no money had been released.
“There has been a decision to search for a private company to take over the marathon concession and Pattaya will pay only part of the budget,” the deputy mayor said.
The uncertainty has created a cloud over the city’s showcase event, with some wondering if the disorganization will endanger the race’s success. It has already caused the running date to be changed twice in the space of the a week.
With no official organizing committee, the 2013 Pattaya Marathon hangs under a cloud of uncertainty.
