Thousands limber up for Laguna Phuket Marathon
Runners of all ages and abilities will take to the roads of Phuket this Sunday morning when the eighth annual "Run Paradise" Laguna Phuket International Marathon (LPIM) is held in a family-friendly carnival atmosphere.
This year the line-up of more than 4,000 Thai and international participants from 45 countries will set off over a variety of distances.
Led by LPIM’s charity ambassador and TV actor Krittapas “Kritt” Sakdidtanon, the run aims to raise Bt1 million for the Laguna Phuket Foundation’s latest “Run for Our Kids” initiative that supports various programmes in Phuket and neighbouring provinces.
The full 42km marathon starts at 4.30am, followed by the 21km half marathon, 10.5km run, 5km community walk and 2km children’s run, all winding through picturesque rubber plantations, beaches and local villages.
The honour of oldest LPIM competitor this year goes to 84-year-old Thai woman Chanita Kumarvut in the 10.5k run.
The full marathon will also see LPIM’s oldest male competitor – British retiree Robin Wilson, aged 79, making his third appearance in the event – alongside the oldest woman in the 42km, 75-year-old Kimiko Sakat of Japan.
Also in the full marathon is 63-year-old British company director Dougie Tobutt, who has completed 120 marathons in nearly 50 countries, while 27-year-old fellow Brit Kate Jayden will be running the 42km during her honeymoon. LPIM will be her 37th marathon.
The 2012 champion Danchai “Dan” Prangkong of Surat Thani returns to defend the full marathon title he won in a time of 2:49:33 last year.
Thailand has the oldest and youngest competitors in the half marathon, with 18-year-olds Seksan Khakhuen and Nattanan Pramuanpornsatid, the youngest male and female alongside oldest male, 77-year-old Jaran Kaphueng and oldest female, Tae White, aged 64. Also in the half marathon is 63-year-old Glenn Feagle of the USA who has competed in every LPIM – making his eighth start here.
The 10.5km run features a spectrum of ages. The youngest males are 13-year-old Australian Rohan Sriram – son of Banyan Tree Phuket’s general manager Sriram – Supat Sudjid of Thailand and Singaporean Woon Shi Jie, while the youngest female is 13-year-old Wan Aida Zainal of Malaysia.
