Bangkok Marathon draws a record turnout

The 22nd Standard Charter Bangkok Marathon, 22 November, 
at the front of Wat Phra Kaew on Sanamchai road, Bangkok.

The Standard Charter Bangkok Marathon, 22 November, is now a firm fixture on the Asian marathon circuit attracting top runners and thousands of enthusiasts many of whom travel with their families for a welcome holiday at the close of the race.

But before the holiday can begin, runners need to cover 42 km on a course that wends its way  through historical districts, past city landmarks, such as the National Museum and the Chao Phraya River to a finishing line in front of the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha) on Sanan Chai Road, close to the vast parade ground known as Sanam Luang.
 
On two scores, this marathon is special. It attracts an enormous turnout of more than 50,000 participants, at all fitness levels and categories. It is also one of the few marathons in Asia that beats the tropical heat by starting at 0200, when Bangkok’s usually grid-lock streets are almost deserted.
The event has a time limit of seven hours for all participants with staggered starts that take into account the various performance levels of the runners.

For example, runners who estimate they can finish the course in five to seven hours assemble at the starting line on the road next to the Grand Palace at 0200. They have to be back at the same point by 0900, the cut-off time for all participants.

Wheelchair participants in the full marathon start at 0320, while elite runners with times of less than five hours leave at 0330

It makes for a very sensible and healthy solution that beats most of the heat and humidity with the last participants crossing the finish line  three hours after sunrise at the very latest. 

The event has some high powered support from Tourism Authority of Thailand, National Jogging Association of Thailand, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and they have determined that this event should show case the city’s tourism appeal and be open to the widest possible participation.

Not surprisingly, the event has a strong appeal to not only semi professionals racing for gold and enthusiasts determined to improve on their best times, but also to ordinary folk, who have set themselves an easier goal related to their favourite sport of jogging.