The men’s marathon Lawrence Kiptoo Saina was first to cross the finish tape in front of Central Pattaya Beach in a time of 2:21:03, exactly 3 minutes ahead of second placed Mohammed Abduh Bakhet from Qatar who had a titanic battle for the runner-up spot with Teruto Ozaki of Japan, just pipping the far east Asian athlete on the line.

Kiptoo was the first runner to break away from the chasing field after 30 kilometres, before crossing the finish line of the gruelling race in front of the Central Festival Pattaya Beach Department Store. He clocked the fastest time of two hours, 21.03 minutes to take home Bt200,000.

Qatari Mohammed Abduh Bakhet finished a close second in two hours, 23.03 minutes to pocket Bt75,000, with Japanese Teruto Ozaki in close third place just 0.01 second behind to claim Bt50,000.

A Kenyan repeated the feat in the women’s Open event. However, the 20-year-old Euzaeth Jeruiyoj Chemweno had a hard-fought duel with Japanese Noriko Higuchi. A last-ditch attempt saw the Kenyan step past the finish line first, and 23rd place overall, in two hours, 44.04 minutes to take the top prize of Bt200,000. Higuchi finished in close second, just 0.01 second behind to collect Bt75,000. Chinese Jiang Xiaoli came in third place in 2:52.20 hours to claim Bt50,000.

Natthaya Thanaronnawat was the first Thai woman over the finish line. She clocked 2:53.31 to take home Bt70,000 plus the King’s Cup. In the women’s event, Japanese Noriko Higuchi, who finished second place overall in the women’s Open, stole the limelight after clocking 2:44.05 to capture the crown. Chinese Jiang Xiaoli and Vietnamese Pham Thi Binh were second and third in 2:52.20 and 2:53.05 respectively.

More than 50,000 runners took part in this year’s Pattaya Marathon, which featured five events consisting of the full 42.195km marathon and wheelchair marathon, 21.10km half-marathon, 10.55km quarter-marathon and 5km walk and run for students.

Sources: nationmultimedia.com, pattayamail.com, tat.or.th

Photo: Robert Brandsø

The acrylic underwater passageway is divided into 3 zones. The first part is the “Reef Zone”. This features coral reef and an abundance of colorful fish that are relaxing to watch. The next zone is the “Sharks and Rays”, displaying sharks, sting rays, ray sharks and turtles among other creatures from the sea. The last is the “Shipwrecks Zone” featuring various kinds of fish that are edible.

The aquarium itself houses more than 4,000 marine animals, comprising more than 200 different species from the region as well as some rare creatures from overseas. Top in the Visitors must-see list is the rare shovel nose ray, a hybrid between a shark and a stingray.

Underwater World Event

The 1st Graffiti Competition, organized by Underwater World Pattaya would hold at Underwater World Pattaya on 22-23 August 2009. The competition will be on Saturday, 22 August 2009 from 18.00-22.00 hrs. and the announcement for winner prize will be on Sunday, 23 August 2009 at 14.00 hrs. You’re invited to be a part of this competition by voting to your favorite one.

Sources: biosman2, underwaterworldpattaya.com, tourismthailand.org

The Pattaya International Marathon is one of the most famous marathons in Thailand that is organized yearly. Every year, there are many runners participating from various countries. In all, there are three races ; the full marathon (42 Km), the half marathon (21 Km) and the quarter marathon (10 Km).

Time to start :
Wheel Chair Group Starting at 04.20 a.m.
Marathon Starting at 04.30 a.m.
Half Marathon Starting at 05.00 a.m.
Quarter Marathon Starting at 05.30 a.m.
Student Starting at 06.00 a.m.

More information: pattaya-marathon.com

Photo: McKurt

The event proper will be an unprecedented, marathon seven-day extravaganza, which will be telecast worldwide. The radical new-style New Year celebrations will continue annually in the same vein and will, it is hoped, reached a world-class standard.

The media, naturally, are to be the means by which the New Year Celebrations will reach a global audience via MCOT’s worldwide network link, including CNN, NHK and CBS. GMM Media will also be intimately involved, spending Bt22 million to organise the event, Bt8 million-Bt10 million of this coming from the Chonburi provincial budget. One of the highlights will be live concerts given by 13 bands. [Black Head, Slot Machine, Instinct, Budda Bless, Playground, Pancake, Boy Piece Maker and all the Super Stars Artists] more information: Pattaya Daily news.

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