Pattaya Marathon – Race Review
The date for Pattaya Marathon 2014 was pending until mid May (partly due to the unrest in Thailand) and the registration opened late. But once the organizers got their things together, it turned out to be a rather well organized event.
I registered online via Go Adventure Asia. Their service was impeccable as always. Picked up my bib number at the race expo the day before and went just as smooth as it should.
The marathon started at 3.45 AM according to schedule. The first 1.5 km of the route is along Pattaya Beach, continues up to the highway (Sukhumvit Road) where you run approximately 75% of the race. The last part takes you through Jomtien Beach, the infamous Pattaya Waking Street and finally Pattaya Beach again. The total distance seemed accurate (perhaps slightly too long?) and the kilometer markers were… well, in the right order anyway. Water stations every other kilometer, some of them offered electrolyte beverage, water melon and sponges.
After the race, light meals were handed out and you got your medal and finisher t-shirt hassle-free. Not as smoothly arranged when the prizes were given out though. The collection of cash awards was especially messy, but they sorted it out eventually. Prize ceremony? I’m not sure there was any, though I did see a podium.
The men’s marathon was easily won by Kenyan Alex Melly. Alex arrived to Thailand a week ago after some solid training back in Kenya. He controlled the race and finished in 2 hours 25 minutes 29 seconds, almost 4 minutes ahead of the first runner up. Had Yai based Kenyan Viola Kimeli, won the women’s marathon even more convincingly. Viola finished in just over 3 hours, more than 7 minutes faster than closest competitor. Find all results here.
Photo by Refill Marathon.
It wasn’t “the most beautiful marathon on earth” and unfortunately very few spectators along the course. On the other hand, the stretches along the beach were nice and no major complaints organizational wise. Everything considered, it was an event worthwhile. Might come back for it next year.
Number of Participants
Marathon: 730 (614 men, 84 women)
Half Marathon: 1,657 (1,279 men, 352 women)
Quarter Marathon: 3,013 (1,837 men, 1,134 womwn)
Coming up: My Pattaya Marathon
We have participated marathons in Thailand for the past 10 years, and this is the worst organised and yet most expensive in Thailand. Very disappointed overall from the size of singlet to the marshal who stopped a group of 10 runners to give way to traffic. At finish point, no one to welcome or cheered us. Totally anti climax. What is worse, no water is given to runners. We had to go looking for water and make a long queue. What a disgrace and a waste of our time and money.
Interesting. Same event, totally different experience.
I had a complete different experience. It was well organized especially compared to other events in Bangkok where traffic control was many time worse. Atmosphere in Pattaya was great and I cannot imagine that there was any shortage of water. At least I was witness that there were plenty of water and fruits at 4 hours of race.