Some 2,000 people turned out for charity, exercise and a chance to set a very specific kind of record when the YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Center recently hosted its Pattaya Beach walk-run.
Former MP Poramet Ngampichet sent runners and walkers on their way on Beach Road on Saturday, June 20, with Praichit Jetapai, chairwoman of the YWCA, local politicians and members of area Lions Clubs and the Thai Hotels Association Eastern Region also in attendance at the start line.
Paicit Jetapai, President of Bangkok-Pattaya YWCA Association, presents a cheque for 100,000 baht to help purchase bulletproof vests for soldiers in the 3 southern border provinces.
The three-kilometer race was divided into categories for those under and over age 15, split between male and female, with a separate bracket for the disabled.
The walk-run, the third organized by the YWCA, began at Central Festival Pattaya Beach and ran northward to the Amari Orchid Resort & Tower. Winners in each category received trophies.
Runners set off along Pattaya Beach during the YWCA charity walk-run on June 20.
Proctor & Gamble (Thailand) provided entertainment, organizing a concert with musicians Ruth, Dew, Am, and Junior.
The walk-run is held each year to promote awareness of issues facing children and women. About 2,000 people paid 350 baht to enter, with a large proportion of the money raised this year going to help build a new classroom for one fortunate school.
100,000 baht of the proceeds will also be contributed to purchase bulletproof vests for soldiers in the strife-torn southern provinces.
Children with autism and disabilities, accompanied by parents and helpers, are cheered on across the start line.
Organizers can also brag that they set a record for the “largest walk-run on a beach in Thailand.” The record was certified by Ripley’s Believe It or Not.
First through third-place winners in each bracket were as follow: Male over 15: Oswado Rosone, Samarn Kewkaew and Weerawat Argsong; Female over 15: Oranutch Eimted, Anyamanee Klapajan and Lilu Wecran; Male under 15: Mungkorn Wintachai, Kitsada Tantipoonpol and Akadej Sermsuk; and Female under 15: Kanitta Aubko, Kewarin Boonsangsong and Waranutch Aung.
Pattaya Sports Club Charity Chair Noi Emmerson (right) hands over a trophy to a young athlete.
Oswado Rosone was the first past the post in the male over 15 category.
All who took part enjoyed a great day of exercise and raising funds for charity.
