Veterans shine among 2,000 runners at NMG race

Thongplaey Unmanee, 91, was among about 2,000 people who made it to the end of the 10.5-km race, which began and finished at Bang Ya Praek Health Garden in Samut Prakan, crossing the Bhumibol 2 Bridge twice along the route.
Apichart Mongkoladisai, 85, smiled without showing any sign of exhaustion, saying he was happy to be a part of history with Kom Chad Luek and Nation Multimedia Group by taking part in the mini-marathon, which afforded racers stunning views from the 50-metre-high bridge.
Looking as fit as a fiddle, Thongplaey, a resident of the Wat Pong Ploy community on Soi Lasal 22, said she decided to take part because she always took morning walks in the Rama IX Park, and was very happy that she had reached the finish line.
Thongplaey and Apichart said they would definitely join the marathon if it were held again next year, though they’ll be another year older.
Thirty-year-old Thareedet Menrum won the race, crossing the finish line in 33 minutes. Thareedet thanked Kom Chad Luek for organising a positive activity that promotes health.
Ketsaraporn Wongsrikotchakorn, 50, who also made it to the finish line, said running on the bridge tested her fitness and strength, because it was harder than running on normal ground.
She said she runs seven kilometres every morning to keep fit and believed the practice keeps her in good health while helping her to make friends.
Nation Multimedia Group chairman Suthichai Yoon presided over the opening ceremony of the mini-marathon at the Bang Ya Praek Health Garden.
The mini-marathon was held to mark Kom Chad Luek newspaper’s 12th anniversary and to launch the first community activity of the Bang Na Communities Network in an effort to instil in members of the public – particularly those from the younger generations – an appreciation of the benefits of exercise.
The project is also aimed at creating unity among state offices, state enterprises and the private sector in the local community through joint participation in such activities.
Among the agencies that took part in the mini-marathon were the Department of Rural Roads, the Samut Prakan Provincial Administrative Organisation, Samut Prakan Municipality and 39 Bang Na communities.