Thousands participate in annual Phuket running event

Lewis Chalk (GBR)

Held on December 5 and 6, the "new normal" edition combined stringent safety and hygiene measures with a scenic course which took Thai and expat runners past local villages and the beaches of Nai Yang, Layan and Bang Tao.

Organisers shone a spotlight on Phuket's preparedness to host large-scale events.

The Supersports Laguna Phuket Marathon also provided a much-needed boost to the island's economy.

Impressive times were the order of the two days with two double-headers in the male divisions and some top performances by Thai athletes.

Polish Triathlete Krzysztof Hadas, winner of the recent Laguna Phuket Triathlon, took a comfortable win in the 5km in what was to be a warm-up for his half marathon the following day. And after some close racing with Russian Sergei Zyrianov over the 21.0975km distance, Hadas finished fast to make it two wins in two days, and his first Supersports Laguna Phuket Marathon Half Marathon title.

Suttida Udomchai (THA)

n the 10.5km on Saturday, Lewis Chalk (Britain) got the better of Anuwat Bunmak of Thailand after racing shoulder-to-shoulder, claiming the win in an impressive time of 00:35:22. Not enough, Chalk then lined up against some tough competition the following day for the Marathon and showing no signs of fatigue, he used his short-distance speed to break-away from the pack and cross the finish line first in a time of 02:55:48, almost five minutes ahead of the second-place finisher.

Other notable performances at this year's Supersports Laguna Phuket Marathon included Sasiwimon Khongjit (THA), who took the female marathon title ahead of Maysinee Sukkuea (ZAF) and Wipawadee Titawattanavijit (THA).

In the Half Marathon, the top two spots in the female division went to Thai runners Suchada Wattanaves and Nopchaya Handittagul, while Suttida Udomchai led a Thai 1-2-3 in the 10.5KM female division the day before.

Regulars at the event, and fans of Phuket, Thai superstar couple Artiwara "Toon" Kongmalai and Ratchawin “Koi” Wongwiriya were running again this year and finished their first marathon together following their talk-of-the-town wedding just a week earlier.

Overall results

For detailed results, visit www.sportstats.asia<http://www.sportstats.asia>.

Marathon – Male

1. Lewis Chalk (GBR) 02:55:48;

2. Tharatorn Poomrungrueang (THA) 03:00:27; 3. Worapoj Sukkaew (THA), 03:01:25

Female,:

1. Sasiwimon Khongjit (THA) 03:41:54; 2. Maysinee Sukkuea (ZAF), 03:57:23; 3. Wipawadee Titawattanavijit (THA) 04:00:42.

Marathon relay:

1. Team Subaru, Phuket, 03:07:26;

2. Team Nham Daeng Yam Yen 03:13:22; 3 Team Badass Bitches 03:40:57

Half Marathon

Male: 1. Krzysztof Hadas (POL) 01:09:41; 2. Sergei Zyrianov (RUS) 01:10:14;

3. Erik Bohm (NLD) 01:18:41.

Female: 1. Suchada Wattanaves (THA) 01:37:58;

2. Nopchaya Handittagul (THA) 01:42:03; 3. Sabine Claudia Egger-Weickhardt (AUS) 01:42:27.

10.5km

Male: 1. Lewis Chalk (GBR) 00:35:22; 2. Anuwat Bunmak (THA) 00:36:17; 3. Merrick Fairall (ZAF) 00:38:05

Female: 1. Suttida Udomchai (THA) 00:43:44; 2. Pimporn Udomdee (THA) 00:49:14; 3. Wilai Aer-Loh (THA) 00:50:21.

5km

Male: 1. Krzysztof Hadas (POL) 00:15:38; 2. Eakkalak Chankaew (THA) 00:16:13; 3. Arthitta Veerathamwatin (THA) 00:17:03.

Female: 1. Chiara Jessica Egger (AUS) 00:21:13;

2. Siena Milgate (AUS) 00:23:13;

3. Phichaya Phattharathanasut (THA) 00:23:21.

2km Kids

Male: 1. Alangkran Khongrat (THA) 00:08:15; 2. Nathee Gorton (THA) 00:08:22;

3. Tanadul Panichyanont (THA) 00:08:38

Female: 1. Urassaya Suebhait (THA) 00:08:17; 2. Valeriia Iakovleva (RUS) 00:08:45; 3. Thea Primarolo (GBR) 00:09:45.