 Thailand
has become a favourite playground for several international sporting
events and games including increasingly popular marathons and triathlons.
Athletes from Thailand compete with their counterparts from all
over the world in a true spirit of sportsmanship and are avidly
cheered by locals and visitors alike.
The seaside resorts of Pattaya and Phuket are among the favourite
venues but elsewhere, Chiang Mai in the north, Ubon Ratchathani
in the northeast, Narathiwat in the south, Kanchanaburi in the west
and the capital Bangkok have also developed internationallyrenowned
events. Some of the best-known Thai marathons and triathlons include:
|
Thai-Malaysia - Marathon
200I
|
June 17, 2001, Narathiwat
The event is jointly organised by the Sungai Kolok Runners
Club and the Narathiwat Province Tourism Association. It features
three key events a 42-km Marathon race, a 10.5-km Minimarathon,
and a 3.5-km Health Run, each consisting of several categories.
Tel: 0 37516144.
|
 Pattaya
Marathon
|
July 15, 2001, Pattaya Beach
This is an annual international event featuring a 42.95-km
Marathon, 21.1-km Half Marathon, and 1O.55-km Quarter Marathon.
The event has attracted participation from both world-class runners
and locals. Tel: 0 3842 7667
or 0 3842 8750.
|
Ubon
Ratchathani International Triathlon
|
August 12, 2001, Ubon Ratchathani
The venues are Lantian Tung Sri Muang, Moon River, Muang
and Varin Chamrab districts. The event comprises Half Marathon (1.9-km
swim, 99-km bike, 21.9-km run), Olympic Distance (1.5-km swim, 40-km
bike, lO-km run), Sprint Distance (750-m swim, 20-km bike, 5-km
run), and Short Sprint Distance (400-m swim, lO-km bike, 3-km run).
Each event consists of several categories. Organised by the Triathlon
Association of Thailand, Triathlon 979 Club, and Ubon Ratchathani
Triathlon Club. Tel: 0 2578 4515; e-mail: trithai@asianet.co.th.
website: www.sabuy.com
|
Thai
Airways- Laguna Phuket T riathlon
|
 November
10, 2001, Phuket
The Laguna Phuket Triathlon is Southeast Asia's only Ironman
qualifier. The landscaped interior of Laguna Phuket, Thailand's
first integrated resort, and the surrounding natural terrain makes
for an ideal setting for the triathlon. The course consists of a
1,800-m swim in Bang Thao Bay followed by a 53km bicycle race through
the surrounding hills and a final marathon run. Television coverage
is broadcast to more than 50 countries. Tel: 0 7632 4060, e-mail:
triathlon@lagunaphuket.com
|
Mini-triathlon,
Bangkok
|
 The
Bangkok Dash is a mini-triathlon race held around every 5 to 6 weeks,
usually on a Sunday morning, on the outskirts of Bangkok. The distance
is 500m swim, IS-km bike and 3-km run, not too taxing and a great
introduction to the sport of triathlon racing. Not competitive,
very friendly with around 25 participants turning up for each race.
Watch for details of events posted on www.bangkoksports.com
INTERESTING SPORTING EVENTS
River Kwai Mountain Bike
Seplember 22, Kanchanaburi,
Tel: 022664071
Long Boat & Ko Lae Boat Races
Seplember 23-25, Bang Nara River, Naralhiwal, Tel: 0 7352
2411
Singha-Carltex
Thailand Mountain Bike Cross Country Oclober 13, Rayong,
Tel: 029544444
pattaya International Triathlon 2001
Oclober 27, pattaya,
Tel: 0 3842 7667
The Southeast Asia Whitewater 2001 Festival
November 3-4, Mae Tang River, Chiang Mai,
Tel: 0 5324 8604
The Volvo Women's Open Tennis
November 3-11, Pattaya,
Tel: 0 2321 7541
Chinese Overseas Basketball
November 21-16, Bangkok,
Tel: 02325 5555
Phuket International Sport Fishing Classic November 15-18, Phukel,
Tel: 0 7622 2177-8
Samet Island Off Road Triathlon
November 24, Samel Island, Rayong,
Tel: 0 3865 5420-1
Bangkok Marathon
November 25, Bangkok,
Tel: 0 26941222 exl 1975-8
Phuket King's Cup Regatta
December 3-9, Phukel,
Tel: 076273389
Singha-Carltex
Thailand Mountain Bike Cross Country
December 9, Suan Nongnooch, pattaya,
Tel: 0 2954 4444
Pha-ngan Island Off Road Triathlon
December 29, Pha-ngan Island, Sural Thani,
Tel: 0 7728 8818-9
|
