With over 13,000 runners, 16 world elite runners from 5 countries and Thai elite runners joining the half marathon, the event will stand out with it scenic route, precise distance, high safety standards, world-class medical team and other racing technology.
Bangsaen21 Half Marathon gears up to become the “Best Half Marathon in Asia” with the IAAF Bronze Label Road Race standard. The event is the first half marathon in Thailand and ASEAN that will be awarded the prestigious world standard. With over 13,000 runners, 16 world elite runners from 5 countries and Thai elite runners joining the half marathon, the event will stand out with it scenic route, precise distance, high safety standards, world-class medical team and other racing technology.
Mr. Rut Jiroajvanichakorn, Managing Director of MICE & Communication reveals that organizers of Bangsaen21 Half Marathon had applied for the IAAF Bronze Label Road Race from the International Association of Athletics Federations or the IAAF. Thus, the IAAF has agreed to send a committee to inspect the standards of this half marathon in accordance with the highest international running standards. To date, only 101 events worldwide, all international races, are certified by those standards. After the conclusion of Bangsaen21 Half Marathon on December 17, 2017, the event will be considered for the first half marathon in Thailand and ASEAN that will be awarded the IAAF Bronze Label Road Race standard. This year, over 13,000 runners as well as 16 world elite runners will be participating at the event.
Mr. Rut adds that the 16 elite runners are divided into 8 male runners and 8 female runners from 5 countries: Ethiopia, Bahrain, China, South Korea and Mongolia, ranging from bronze-level elite runners to gold-level elite runners with records under 1.05 hours for male and 1.16 hours for female. The star male runners, Mr. Ser-od BAT-OCHIR from Mongolia is the holder of 1.02.10 hours record while Mr. Merga Teshome LEMMA from Ethiopia holds the 1.02.39 hours record. For the star female runners, Ms. Emebet Tadesse WOLDEMESKEL from Ethiopia holds the 1.12.53 hours record while Ms. Yunhee CHUNG from South Korea holds the 1.13.51 hours record. Elite Thai runners will also be participating at the event, from Mr. Boontung Srisang, Ms. Nattaya Tanaronwat and Mr. Sanchai Namket which will make Bangsaen21 more competitive and entertaining while reinforcing its position as a professional race event with world-class standards.
Mr. Narongchai Khunpluem, Mayor of Saensuk Municipality says “To support the Bangsaen21 race to receive the title of the best half marathon in Asia, the municipality has made preparations for the event, from arranging scenic routes that will challenge runners and overlook important landmarks in Bangsaen Municipality, to collaborating with the police, rescue workers and volunteers in the area to check the safety of the route as well as all road closures during the event to ensure safety for all runners. Moreover, the charm of Bangsaen21 is the people of Bangsaen who are looking forward to the event and will be warmly welcoming runners to the area while entertaining and cheering on the runners.”
Mr. Sontaya Khunpluem, Advisor of the Bangsaen21 Organizer Committee says “As the host for Bangsaen21 races in the past two years, over 30,000 tourists who are runners and companions that have visited Bangsaen and created a positive impact for the area. Bangsaen is a city of potential, with the readiness to host big events and welcome large numbers of participants, from its locations, hotels, accommodations, restaurants, shops, and friendly locals. This year, we have great cooperation from the community, shops, restaurants and accommodations around Bangsaen that is ready to welcome participants from around the country by offering special promotions and privileges for runners with medals. I believe that this campaign will be a way for us to show appreciation to runners who came to Saensuk Municipality.”
Dr. Kasem Chaiklongkit, medical expert in orthopedic surgery from Sriracha Hospital and Medical Director of Bangsaen21 Half Marathon says, “According to IAAF standards, 2-3 doctors and 4-6 nurses are required to be present for every 1,000 runners. For this event, organizers have brought in a team of over 200 doctors, nurses, emergency medical units, physical therapists and doctors of Thai medicine, a much higher number than the requirement of IAAF. Moreover, there will be medical units every 4 kilometers and first-aid units every 2 kilometers, over 10 ambulances and emergency rescue vehicles from leading hospitals and volunteers. Also, volunteer runners and bikers will be traveling along the route with AED units so they are able to react in cases of emergency. Most importantly, organizers have prepared a mobile medical center that can handle medical emergencies with the same standard as hospitals, all of which are world-class medical services for road races.”
Police Major General Surapong Ariyamongkol, Secretary-General of the Athletic Association of Thailand (AAT) says, “The association is extremely glad that Bangsaen21 Half Marathon will become the first Thai and ASEAN race that will receive the world-class standard which will create a good reputation for Thailand and attract more foreign runners to the visit the country. This initiative will bring about a new chapter for the running community in Thailand and more organizers will become aware of reaching international standards in running events.”
Photo Caption: Mr. Sontaya Khunpluem Advisor of the Bangsaen21 Organizer Committee, Mr. Narongchai Khunpluem, Mayor of Saensuk Municipality and Mr. Rut Jiroajvanichakorn, Managing Director of MICE & Communication kicks off Bangsaen21 Half Marathon to become the “Best Half Marathon in Asia” with the IAAF Bronze Label Road Race standard. In addition, 16 elite runners from 5 countries also participate this race
Angelos is the news editor for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). His role includes to monitor the hundrends of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skim the most important according to our strategy. He currently studies Communication, Media & Culture in Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens.
