Pattaya Marathon, 15th July 2012

Joggers from all over the region will flock to the hedonists’ haven for the Pattaya International Marathon on July 15. What a great way to introduce this event! Hahaha. Nonetheless, this coming Saturday my wife and me will fly to Pattaya where I will participate in the half marathon event, starting Sunday morning 5am in front of Central World on Beach Road.

Organised by Pattaya City Hall in co-operation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Athletic Association of Thailand, the 21st edition of this event will be divided into five categories; Marathon 42.195 km, Half Marathon 21.100 km, Quarter Marathon 10.550 km, Student Run 3.500 km and Wheelchair Marathon 42.195 km.

It's a very popular event, probably the biggest running event I will participate in up to date.

Half marathon route

It's going to be a tough course, after the start there's a slight ascent from Beach Road towards Sukhumvit, I expect Sukhumvit to be flat and than down to Jomtien, via Soi Wat Boon. Almost at the end of the race it goes fairly steep uphill towards the Big Buddha hill, that's going to be a challenge. I don't think this route will allow me to run it under 2 hours.

Marathon route

With what seems to be a light Achilles tendon injury, my preparation isn't the best but my core condition should easily carry me over to 15km, after that it's each kilometer for it's own! Probably by the 18km mark I'm wondering who's idea it was to sign up for this! Providing I reach the finish line, most likely I will be considering for a few hours that I will never sign up for such a race or half marathon again. Just give it a few hours and I will be searching the agenda where and when the next event will be held!

The finish for me should be shortly after 7am and by 5pm we're on the plane back to Samui. To all my Pattaya friends, since you don't have anything better to do on a Sunday morning (yeah right!), all support between 5am and 7am is welcome!

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille