Kenyan Runners Creamed The Main Prizes

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SOURCE: Pattaya Daily News: July 21st 2008

KENYAN RUNNERS CREAM MAIN PRIZES IN PATTAYA MARATHON 2008

Pattaya City gave a warm welcome in a preliminary ceremony to runners from around the world who were due to run the 15th Pattaya marathon 2008, the next day, on July 20 2008, with activities and banquet.

Hotel operators and restaurants provided the banquet for the participants with famous foods of Pattaya city, as well as entertainments, games and many prizes for all participants. The preliminary provided a chance for them to meet each other before the race the next day.

The main event started at 3.30 am, in the rain, on Sunday morning at Soi 4, Pattaya Beach Road; both the start and finish in a circular round-Pattaya race. The Marathon was a co-operative enterprise between Pattaya City, Chonburi province, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Athletics Association under the patronage of HM the King. The event was chaired by Mr. Komsan Akachai, Deputy Mayor of Chonburi province, and jointly opened by Mr.Akarapol Pruksawan of TAT, General Prasert Ratanagarn, Honourable Vice President of the Athletics Association and Mr. Itthipol Khun-pluem, Mayor of Pattaya City.

The 15th Pattaya Marathon, 2008, gave 2,000 locals and foreigners the opportunity to compete together and would also help promote Pattaya City, tourism and the sport of running.

This year there were runners from 12 countries participating, including those from Thailand, Kenya, China, Japan, Hong Kong, The Netherlands, Taiwan, Norway, the UK, the USA, and Australia. The marathon was divided in 5 categories:

• International marathon 42.195 kms,

• Half marathon 21.100 kms,

• Quarter marathon 10.550 kms,

• Wheelchair marathon 42.195 kms and

• Student marathon 5 kms,

The prizes amounted to 1,500,000 Baht, the biggest prize of any running event in Thailand.

It seemed that there was only one other country competing, apart from Thailand, as the Kenyans romped home in virtually all the main categories. The winner of the overall Male International Marathon, was Mr. Nelson Kima Rotix from Kenya in the time of 2.16.07 hours, receiving a Bt200,000 prize and a trophy. The 2nd and 3rd places also belonged to runners from Kenya: Mr. Lucs Kipichimocelimo in the time of 2.17.01 hours, receiving a Bt75,000 Baht prize and Mr.Christopher Kipkembo with the time of 2.19.21 hours, receiving 50,000 Baht prize.

Similarly with the Overall Female International Marathon, Kenyan Freeda Chipkit Lodepa romped home in 2.53.35 hours, receiving a Bt200,000 prize and a trophy. The 2nd place belonged to Sunisa Sai-lomyen from, Chiengrai, Thailand, with the time of 2.54.00 hours, receiving a Bt75,000 prize. And the 3rd place went to Margaret F. Vangide Niguen, from Kenya with the time of 2.58.41 hours, receiving a Bt50,000 prize.

The winner of the Male Half Marathon was Mr. Sanchai Namket, receiving aBt40,000 prize. In 2nd place was Mr. Theerachai Rayabsri, receiving a Bt20,000 Baht prize and in 3rd place was Mr. Boonyu Ratanakajorn, who received a Bt10,000 prize.

In the Female Half Marathon, the winner was Miss Pacharee Chaithongsri, receiving a Bt40,000 aht prize. In 2nd place was Miss Ratanaphan Rithilert, receiving a Bt20,000 prize while in 3rd place was Mrs. Thanaporn Asawongjaruen, receiving a Bt10,000 prize.

The Wheelchair Marathon was won by Mr.Akachai Janthorn, the 2nd prize went to Mr. Kajornsak Thamasophon and the 3rd prize winner was Mr. Sukhum Namlun.

This year, the Events Committee also provided many other special prizes, including trophies and certificates for other runners as well.

A good time was had by all, despite the rain!