Phuket Marathon Fun For Even The Non-JoggerPrepared by Harold Stephens
Travel Correspondent for Thai Airways International
Looking for fun and games in the sun? If you are, head south to Phuket on the Andaman Sea in Southern Thailand, and on the morning of June 12 and make you way to Luguna Beach. Or better yet, check into the Luguana Beach for the weekend.
It’s he beginning of the fourth Laguna Phuket International Marathon. Over 4000 participants, including 1500 international runners from approximately 40 countries are expected to take part in this year’s event. Since the inaugural event in 2006 there has been an impressive one hundred per cent increase in entries from 2038 in 2006 to an anticipated 4450 in 2009. The organisers ‘Go Adventure Asia’ are also delighted that the level of entries forecast for this year is up ten percent from last year.
Presented by Nike, the run is scheduled for Sunday 14 June 2009 at Laguna Phuket, but a series of events will kick off on Friday 12 June starting with a two-day expo featuring sponsor booths and a number of activities including a welcome pasta party at Laguna Beach Resort the evening before the event and a farewell party on race day. Race day on 14 June will comprise a 42k Marathon, a 21k Half-marathon, a 10.5k Run, a 2k Kids Run and a 5k Walk.
Participants in any of the races at the 2009 Laguna Phuket International Marathon are also encouraged to take part in fundraising for charity, whether it is a charity of their choice or Laguna Phuket’s preferred cause, a rural school in neighbouring Phang-nga province called Ban Klong Sai. To highlight the event’s charity angle, Laguna Phuket will offer interested competitors the opportunity to visit Ban Klong Sai School and see how the money is being spent on Saturday 13 June. The fieldtrip will include opportunity for participants to get involved with the students, teachers, and community in efforts to increase the school’s sustainability.
For those who might be interested in joining the run, there is still time top register. Here are some Questions & Answers prepared by the race committee that might help those who are interested.
Q. What are the race categories and their distances?
Marathon: 42.195 km
Half Marathon: 21.097 km
10.5 Km Run: 10.500 km
Walk: 5.000 km
Kids Run: 2.000 km
Q. I heard that you offer 2 different start times for the marathon race, what are the start times I can choose?
05:00 AM is the official start time 04:00 AM is the unofficial start time
Q. Is there any standard which time I should start?
Theoretically no. But for better practice, we recommend that slow runners (taking more than 5 hours to finish) should opt for 04:00 AM start.
Q. Except for the different start times themselves, what are the differences between runners starting at 04:00 and 05:00 AM?
Runners starting at 04:00 AM will get a WHITE bib and runners starting at 05:00 AM will get a coloured bib. Runners starting at 04:00 AM are not eligible for top 3-5 trophies.
Q: Will there be race facilities ready at that time for the 04:00 AM starters?
Yes, event's staff and facilities will all be ready for the 04:00 AM starters.
Q. What is the minimum age eligibility for each race?
Marathon - 18 years and above in 2009
Half Marathon - 16 years and above in 2009
10.5 Km Run - 12 years and above in 2009
Q. Is there any upper age limit for participation?
No
Q. When do online registrations end?
On June 5, 2009.
Q. Is there a limit on the number of participants per race?
There is no limit on the number of participants for the 2009 event.
The following facilities are available on the course:
Water Stations:There will be a water station every 1.5 - 2 Km along the course with each of them providing fruits, water in cups and bottled water. From Km 12.5 onwards electrolytes (Gatorade) will be provided to all runners.
Toilets:Mobile toilets will be stationed along the course not more than 5 Km apart. For exact locations please refer to the course map.
Kilometer Markers:
All races will have kilometer markers every 1 Km.
Timing:Digital clocks at Start and Finish gate. Split times at 10, 21 and 31 Km.
Medical Aid:Medical services will be provided along the course. Ambulances will be located at strategic points with easy access. Runners are advised to carry their own specific prescribed medicines, if necessary.
Traffic:The course leads through a quiet area of Phuket. Police and security guards will control traffic along the route. Although organizers endeavor a traffic free course runners may encounter some light vehicular traffic at some parts of the course.
For information on air travel and accommodation contact Royal Orchid Holidays, Thai Airways International. ROH has a Phuket Basic Stay, ROH/HKT, with two days and one night accommodations only, and a Phuket Stayover, ROHT4, with two days and one night with breakfast and airport transfer
Laguna Phuket is located at Bang Tao Bay on the northwestern coast of Phuket Island, only 25 minutes drive from the Phuket International Airport and 30 minutes drive from Patong Beach or Phuket Town.
Next week I tell readers something about getting into the mood of traveling in Southeast Asia.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERSQ. Dear Mr. Stephens. I am confused. Father’s Day in America is in June, but yet I have read that Father’s Day in Thailand is coming this December. Can you explain? Are there any special activities going on? Ben Pryor, Los Angles
A. Dear Ben. In Thailand Father’s Day is considered to be on the King’s Birthday, 5 December. There are many activities going on around the country on that day, and usually many boat races. I you are travelling to Thailand with your father, THAI offers “Spoil Your Dad in December” promotion for special airfare tickets and Royal Orchid Packages.—HS
Harold Stephens
Bangkok
E-mail: ROH Weekly Travel (booking@inet.co.th)
Note: The article is the personal view of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the view of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited. | 
