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dirtydog

CHERNG TALAY: As the island gears up for the big Laguna Phuket International Marathon on Sunday, June 15, the event’s organizers have announced traffic restrictions that will apply during the marathon so athletes can safely complete the course.

Traffic along the following roads will be directed by police for the safety of runners as follows:

1. All roads within Laguna Phuket and the main road leading into Laguna Phuket, from 4:45am to midday.

2. Route 4030 from Plaza del Mar to Thalang Market in Baan Don, from 5 am to 7:30 am

3. Route 4031 (the old “Airport Road”) from Baan Pru Jam Pa to the airport, from 5:45 am to 11 am

4. For returning runners: Route 2025, which spurs off Route 4031 and joins it further south, from 6:15 am to 11 am

5. For returning runners: Route 4030 from Thalang to Baan Don, from 6:30 am to 11:30 am

6. For returning runners: Route 3024 (Koktanod Rd) from Baan Don to the Shangri-la construction site, from 6:45 am to 11:30 am

Although traffic is expected to be very light early morning on Route 4009, drivers are also asked to be mindful of athletes on that road, which runs from Plaza del Mar to Route 3024.

Click here to download a map of the roads affected.




The Laguna Phuket International Marathon is the largest and fastest growing destination marathon in South East Asia.Now in its third year,and with registration for the event still open until June 5 2008,the Laguna Phuket International Marathon 2008 is well on course to break all records.More than 4,500 participants are expected to take part in the prestigious event-including 2,000 international runners from over 45 countries who will run alongside the local and regional competitors to give the marathon a truly global feel. Welcoming both serious contenders,and those who are there for the experience,the course takes in the picturesque grounds of Laguna Phuket,the island's prenier destination resort.Entrants for the race which is again organised by Go Adventure Asia will be able to choose between full,half and quarter length marathons; a 5 km walk and 2 km kids run.For more information visit website:Phuket Marathon

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dirtydog

Aussies dominate Laguna Marathon

CHERNG TALAY: Australian Stephen Paine completed the 42-kilometer course around the north end of the island in 2 hours 37 minutes and 52 seconds this morning to win the men’s championship title in this year’s Laguna Phuket International Marathon.

In second place was defending champion Brent Roeger from the US. He rounded the course in 2:41:57, six minutes faster than last year. Wu Yung-Fa (2:44:42) from Taiwan finished third.

Australian Angela Louise Stevens won the women’s marathon, finishing the course in 3:14:17. Second place went to Peta-Jane Harthen (332) from Australia, and in third place was Miho Miyashiro (3:40:18) from Japan.

Races started early this morning, with the first group of marathon runners leaving the starting gate at 4 am. Although the main race started at 5 am, the first group started at 4 am this year to provide a head start to runners who may have needed four to seven hours to complete the course.

More than 5,000 people from more than 40 countries took part in the event, which included a Half-Marathon, a 10.5km run, a 5km walk and a 2km kid’s run.

Winner of the men’s Half-Marathon was Stefano Passarello (126) from Italy. Thai runners Niwat Oithip (1:19:30) and Sittipong Changlai (136) placed second and third, respectively.

The top three female finishers in the Half-Marathon were 2007 women’s marathon champion Nicola Green (126) from the UK, Emily Woodfield (1:19:30) from the UK, and Kerrie Elizabeth Edwards (136) from Australia.

Thai celebrity Ratthasart Korasut joined 202 Team Laguna members in the 5km walk to raise funds for Baan Klong Sai School in Phang Nga province. This is the first in a series of projects Laguna Phuket has planned to help schools in need in Phuket and remote areas of Phang Nga and Krabi provinces.

Eco-marathoner and slow-running advocate Hajime Nishi also took part. With 541 marathons in 71 countries under his belt, Nishi is renowned in running circles as the founder of the “slow is beautiful” philosophy.

The marathon globetrotter and world record holder, who also took part in the Laguna Phuket International Marathons in 2007 and 2006, led a group of interested participants over the course, focusing purely on the enjoyment of the race, interaction with spectators and volunteers, and taking photos along the way.

For complete race results visit Phuket Marathon.




Our interview is with Raimund Wellenhofer, Managing Director of Go Adventure Asia, Organizer of the Laguna Phuket International Marathon, plus Debbie Dionysius, Director of Destination Marketing at Laguna Phuket. The races are run from 4-9am on Sunday June 15, with the Start & Finish near Laguna Beach Resort hotel, with a full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10.5 Km Run, 5 Km Walk, 2 Km Kids Run in different age/sex categories. There are also Charity fundraising and photo contest in the races; As Raimund first explains most runners have to register for marathon & runs by Saturday; but there is no need to pre-register for the walk: