Phukethon returns to Phuket this weekend
The second edition of “Phukethon” will take place from November 10-11 at Saphan Hin in Phuket.
Phuket, under collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), the Athletic Association of Thailand, the Umay+ cash card, the Sponsor electrolyte beverage, and globally-renowned event organizer, MOVE ASIA, once again shows its potential as one of Asia’s sports cities with the second consecutive occasion of Phukethon, which takes place on 10-11 November 2018 at Saphan Hin in Phuket. Worldwide long-distance marathoners are invited to join the event in three distance categories: THE CAPE, THE BAY, and THE OLD TOWN, as the race aims to be awarded with the Bronze Label in 2020.
Mr. Pakapong Tawipat, Governor of Phuket, which is the host city; Mr. Virat Patee, Director Sports Authority of Thailand Phuket; Mr. Sompong Anekvisudwong, Senior Vice President of EASY BUY Public Company Limited; Mr. Nattisiri Chontisirisin, Marketing Department Manager for the Sponsor electrolyte beverage; and Mr. Boonperm Intanapasan, Managing Director of MOVE ASIA, the rights owner of the event, announced the organization of Phukethon 2018 at a press conference on 9 November 2018, at Saphan Hin, Phuket, before Thailand biggest international marathon festival takes place on 10-11 November.
Mr. Pakapong Tawipat, Governor of Phuket, speaks of the province’s hosting the event that, “Phukethon was held for the first time last year with overwhelming success, so we want to build on that achievement and improve the race event better, thanks to collaboration with all relevant parties, and the public and private sectors, as Phuket aims to fully become a leading sports city of ASEAN. More than 10,000 marathoners have already applied for the race this year, with the number of foreign participants three times higher from 200 marathoners in our first year to 800 this year, including international elite marathoners, particularly those from Japan. So, this is an important occasion for us to show that we are ready to host a running event with the standards of the Bronze Label within two years. Not only will this prove our potential, but it will also bring numerous benefits for the province and the country”
Mr. Virat Patee, Director Sports Authority of Thailand Phuket, says that “the good thing is Thailand continuously host sports events of international standards. As a government agency, we believe benefits for Phuket and Thailand will be overwhelming, including a strong image at a global stage and stimulation of the country’s economy, because these marathoners will spend and travel for several days in Thailand. This year, the Ministry and the SAT jointly arrange the SAT PHUKETHON RUNNING EXPO on 9-10 November, where running and exercise products of more than 30 leading brands will be offered at discounted prices.”
Mr. Boonperm Intanapasan, Managing Director of MOVE ASIA, the rights owner of the event, says of this year’s Phukethon that, “we have dedicated all of our resources to create a perfect running event. The three distances categories are certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the Asian Athletics Association(AAA), and the Athletic Association of Thailand. We have hydrogen treatment to help marathoners recover, and we will provide energy gel, water stations throughout the routes, cooling zones with pools of cold water and water at a normal temperature, Sponsors Ice Spa for marathoners who have crossed the finish line, safety and security, and first-aid and medical treatments. The races will be divided into two days to avoid congestion. So, we are confident that the event will be even better this year, which will give us a boost as we aim for the Bronze Label by 2020.”
Phukethon 2018 will start and finish at Saphan Hin, an old park with a long history, where marathoners will greet their new day with the sight of the sunrise and the touch of sea breeze in fresh air. There are three challenging distance categories: THE CAPE, or 42.195 km. full marathon, in the temperature of 20-25 °C on a hilly route that will take marathoners to Cape Panwa, one of the world’s top lookouts; THE BAY, or 21.1 km. half-marathon, with the U-turn at Visit Panwa Pier at Makham Bay; and THE OLD TOWN, or 10km. mini-marathon, on the route where marathoners will turn back time to enjoy the view of ancient Sino-Portuguese buildings.
The four-day festival will begin with the SAT PHUKETHON RUNNING EXPO on 9-10 November. THE OLD TOWN, or 10km. mini-marathon, will take place in the morning of 10 November, and the afternoon will be the time for the UMAY+ CLEAN THE BEACH activity to clean the running route on the beach, the 5km. UMAY+ JELLY BEACH RUN at Nai Harn Beach , and the COLOUR FUN RUN activity at Thanyapura. THE CAPE, or 42.195 km. full marathon; and THE BAY, or 21.1 km. half-marathon, will start on 11 November. On 12 November, there will be another friendly run and donation will be made to the “PHUKETHON x KAO with Toon Bodyslam” project. For more information, please visit www.phukethon.com and www.facebook.com/Phukethon.
