Press Release - Thailand Temple Run - 3/21/05

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                         Contact: Roman Floesser
                                                  Event Manager
                                                  02 2376910 - 4
                                                  

 
              RECORD PARTICIPATION AT ING THAILAND TEMPLE RUN 
         Boonchu Chandecha sets new course record in Men's Marathon
              
More than 2100 runners including over 400 foreign runners from 29 countries 
participated in the 2005 ING Thailand Temple Run on March 19.  
Participation numbers increased by almost one hundred per cent from the 
previous year underlining the growing popularity of the event locally and 
internationally.

Thai runner Boonchu Chandecha was first to cross the finish line in a new 
course record time of 2:38:51h ahead of compatriot Kordey Senmud 
(2:39:02)and defending champion Jirasak Sutthichart (2:40:47). 

Thailand's leading marathon runner Boonchu overcame hot and humid 
conditions to win the race for the first time after coming second in the 
half marathon in 2004. 

It was very, very hot and I was very tired", Boonchu said. I'm happy with 
my performance and my time is a bit better than Jirasak's time last year".

The women's category was won by Sunisa Sailomyen in 3:25:02h with Ketmanee 
Senaphan (3:26:45) and Saipin Padchun finishing second and third 
respectively.

In the Half Marathon, Southeast Asian Games 10000 meter champion Boonthung 
Srisang proved again that he is hard to beat on the 21.1 k distance winning 
in a time of 1:14:28. Amnuay Tongmitr (1:14:35) and Sutut Kallayankitti 
(1:15:04) were the other two runners on the podium.

The top three female Half Marathon runners were Saifon Piawong in a time of 
1:31:33 edging out Saifon Lalee (1:31:36) and Vilaiwan Khampitak (1:33:56).  

Race director Raimund Wellenhofer was very pleased with the event. "The 
size of the event has almost doubled from last year. That is a big step and 
there is still a lot of potential for growth. The great support from title 
sponsor ING has given the ING Thailand Temple Run a very high profile which 
is already reflected in the increased number of participants."

Despite the grueling heat only ten marathon runners did not finish the race 
and the medical team reported no serious incidents. "We had to treat some 
runners for minor heat stress and dehydration but apart from that 
everything went well despite the hot conditions" said medical director Dr. 
Francis Nettl."  

Commenting on the heat, race director Raimund Wellenhofer stated that the 
afternoon was a new approach. "We wanted to start in the afternoon hoping 
that the cooling conditions will favor the runners and to increase 
participation numbers for the shorter distances. We will look at the 
starting times critically in our post race evaluation and then decide what 
to do for next year".  

After a traditional Thai opening ceremony runners were sent on one of the 
most picturesque marathon courses in the world leading past Buddhist 
Temples, through banana and coconut plantations, past rice paddies and 
through typical Thai villages. They were cheered on along the course by 
Thai cultural bands and interested villagers. 

After nightfall torches and globe lights along the course combined with the 
sound of crickets and traditional Thai music created a mystic atmosphere. 

Singaporian wheelchair racer William Tan who is currently on a world record 
bid to become the first wheelchair athlete to complete seven marathons on 
seven continents in 70 days could tick another continent off his list. The 
former Paralympian completed the course in 2:18h and was delighted after 
his race. "It was a really beautiful race. I really, really enjoyed it." 

The last runner across the line was eco marathoner Hajime Nishi from Japan. 
He completed the course in just over 6:30h. After finding out that he was 
the last runner across the line he said: "I am happy to hear that I am the 
last finisher. This means that I must have enjoyed the race the most". 

Prior to the three main races local school kids took part in the "ING Run 
for my School" Kids Run. More than 150 kids lined up for the one kilometer 
race. After the run five local schools were presented with checks by ING 
Life Thailand CEO Jim Brown to help buy learning materials and sport 
equipment.

The ING Thailand Temple Run was this year's first ING  marathon in a series 
of seven marathons currently sponsored by the financial services company. 
Other events this year include the ING New York City Marathon, ING Ottawa 
Marathon, ING Edmonton Marathon, ING Taipei Marathon, ING Brussels Marathon 
and ING Amsterdam Marathon.

A highlight show on the ING Thailand Temple Run will air next month on UBC 
Thailand and Asia wide on the Star World Asia network. Exact times will be 
announced.

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