Kenyans win 3rd Supersports 10-mile International Run 2017 Phuket

Kenyan runners crossed the finish line at Thanyapura, taking top spots for the third year in row alongside German, Singaporean, and Thai finishers.  785 participants (239 women and 543 men) competed in the 10-Mile race. 

David Kibet, who won the 2016 race, finished the 10-mile race in 52 minutes and four seconds.  Fellow Kenyan athlete, David Chepkwony took the silver at 54 minutes and 43 seconds.  Andreas Dreitz, six-time German Ironman 703 European Champion, finished with a time of 56 minutes and 42 seconds.

A new women’s champion was crowned with Carolyne Mitei of Kenya finishing at 1 hour, 4 minutes and 5 seconds.  Ethiopia Gebremeskel of Ethiopia followed in second place at 1 hour, 7 minutes and 6 seconds.  Vivian Tang, Singapore’s “Fastest Female Marathoner” claimed the bronze with a time of 1 hour, 7 minutes and 25 seconds.

The Thai runners who rounded out the podium, finished top places in the Thai category:

Male

·         1^st place – Thanit Kanpai – 01:07:11.0

·         2^nd place – Wattana Sentong – 01:07:14.4

·         3^rd place – Pantap Punyawantanee – 01:08:10.2

Female

·         1^st place – Wilaiwan Kumpituk – 01:11:35.6

·         2^nd place – Suchada Wattanawes – 01:19:52.9

·         3^rd place – Piyanut Prongpan – 01:22:16.1

"I feel good today.  Because I was here last year and I win again.  This year, I'm happy to defend again.  The race was good and humid.  I'll also join next year.  This year, I ran 51 minutes.  Last year I ran 50 minutes,” said David Kibet (Kenya), 1^st place male overall finisher.

"I’m very happy to be the winner of 10 Mile this day.  This is my first time to run the 10-Mile in Thailand. Thank you all,” saidCarolyne Mitei (Kenya), 1^st place female overall finisher.

“I took the chance to test myself and my limits here.  It’s a great race and so much fun, to run around Thanyapura’s areas.  I had no chance to follow the fast guys but I’m more than happy to take third place,” said Andreas Dreitz(Germany), 3^rd place overall male finisher and part of the German team erdinger alkoholfrei.

"I'm very happy.  I'm enjoying the scenery and nature as I run.  Everything here was well-prepared.  The race was perfect.  I was here last year and I'll come back next year,” said Khun Wilaiwan Kumpituk (Thailand), 1^st place female Thai finisher.

“Today’s event is a colourful one for Phuket as a province, especially during school holidays.  It’s considered a successful event as over 2,500 runners showed up.  It supports sports tourism because athletes come from domestic and global markets.  We hope Thanyapura and Supersports can continue to build the race’s reputation on a global and professional scale,” said Anoma Wongyai, Director of TAT Phuket.

“This is the first time I’ve been to the 10-Mile Run – the first serious race for me.  I come to Thanyapura frequently, since they hold many events throughout the year,” said Metinee Kingpayom, Thai model and actress.

In addition to the 10-Mile, 820 runners (392 women, 427 men) competed in the 5-Mile race.

Now in its third year, the Supersports 10-Mile International Run 2017 Phuket continues to entice recreational runners and renowned athletes to its tranquil and picturesque route – set amid the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park and Northern Phuket’s rubber plantations.  2,500 runners competed in the 10-mile, 5-mile, 2-mile and children’s 500-metre categories.

The event’s success is made possible by these sponsors:  Supersports, New Balance, Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort, Gatorade, Johnson Health Tech (Thailand), Krungthai Card Public Co. Ltd (KTC), Thai Health Promotion Foundation, CRG, Mister Donut, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, FamilyMart, Tanita, New) TV 18, Aquafina, Radio Trip 89.75, Khao Phuket, Sports Authority of Thailand, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Ministry of Tourism & Sports and Anda Focus.