Chiangmai International Marathon 2013

The starting point of the race

In full running gear

We checked into our hotel, Imm Hotel which is just across the road to Tha phae gate which is the starting point of the marathon after spending the whole day at Mae Taeng Elephant Farm and visiting Doi Suthep temple. I booked the hotel online and never expect it to be so near to the starting venue. Tents were already up with collection of running vest and bib going on. I was worried at first that the organiser will close their booth for collection at 5.00 pm but it seem the collection is allowed until very late at night  and last minute registration is also permitted. The pleasant surprise of our late collection is to arrive just in time to have our free dinner offered by the organiser. This is perhaps the first time where I experience free dinner the night before a marathon race. The dinner was a simple buffet Thai meal but what is more important is it save us the trouble to look for food in the town after a tiring flight and sightseeing at the Mae Taeng elephant Farm.
A stage was put up where certificates were seen given out to representatives who were either helping in or sponsoring the events. There were booths selling sports apparels of famous brand but too cheap to be original. The climax is the Thai dances performed by a group of young and pretty lasses.

Lanna dancers who are so intriguing

After visiting the nearby area and tried out the famous padthai or fried koay teow we went back to our hotel to rest. I set my alarm on my iphone to wake me up at 4.00 am as my race starts at 6.00 am but the noise from the starting venue is enough to serve as alarm clock.  We were flagged off exactly at 6.00 am and it is really an experience to run in such cold weather with temperature easily below 10 degree celsius. I have to wear a t-shirt before putting on the running vest. The tracks were all flat but I could not run fast due to lack of training after the leg injury. Most of the runners are professionals because I hardly see any runner who walks . That is good because I have to force myself to run the whole 21 km distance. I was happy indeed to complete the race in 2 hours 55 minutes which is a far cry from my personal best of 2 hours 30 minutes. Later I discovered that the distance is in fact 23 km which means my time is still not too far from my average time. Organisation of the event was above par with lots of traffic police who look like army regulars manning the junctions. The beauty of the race is I could see how the Thais do about their chores in the early hour of a Sunday morning. I could see monks accepting offer from devotees by the road sides and there are many roadside stores doing brisk business. By the time I returned to the hotel my wife and children have already finished their 10 km race one hour ago even though they started their run at 7.00 am. All of them finished with their personal best time. A thumb up for all of them especially Seok Wan who seldom run but could finish 10 km in 1 hour 18 minutes.