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ResultTo the sound of agong, runners aresent on an out andback course leadingthrough typical Thaivillages, through fruitplantations, ricepaddies and pastmore than twentytemples.MEN:1 Boonchoo CHUNDECHA THA 2:40:082 Jirisak SUTTHICHAT THA 2:40:083 Umnuai THONGMIT THA 2:40:084 Solchai CHOOSAKHUL THA 2:40:135 Khordae SENMOOD THA 2:42:236 Anusak PHITSAWONG THA 2:42:477 Meechai CHOOCHEEP THA 2:43:038 Suphit CHANTHARAT THA 2:44:059 Chadaruk CHAIYAKHAMCHORN THA 2:44:3310 Jiratthikarn BOONMA THA 2:47:45WOMEN:1 Sunisa SAILOMYEN THA 3:15:202 Khetmanee SENAPHAN THA 3:16:323 Saiphin PATJUN THA 3:23:314 Khan KHOOSUWAN THA 3:24:205 Praphan KHAMBURI THA 3:27:146 Thanaporn PIEMSAKHUL THA 3:36:187 Ashley CLARK USA 3:39:168 Pratheep THONGCHAI THA 3:39:449 Dhutsanee SAEHENG THA 3:48:5910 Unchalee WONGPANIJ THA 3:53:13HALF MARATHON:MEN:1 Boontheung SRISONG THA 1:13:142 Umnai SRICHARD THA 1:13:353 Somyhod KIJUDOM THA 1:14:19WOMEN:1 Diane FUSEALDO AUS 1:27:072 Phatcharee CHAITHONGSRI THA 1:28:423 Sonthiya CHAIWAWE THA 1:29:52Australians, Americans, Danes,Germans Japanese andSingaporeans around the tableand the atmosphere is relaxed.In the evening runners are treatedto a five star pasta dinner. Theofficial race hotel puts on a greatItalian buffet and the executivechef himself prepares the pastafor the hungry athletes. Themedical director provides somelast minute tips on how to copewith the heat before everyoneheads back to their rooms for ashort night’s sleep. At 03.00 theshuttle buses leave for the onehourride to the race site.Breakfast is served on the bus andmany runners try to catch somemore sleep.neck and neck. The finish linejudge declared Boonchoo thewinner after the official timingrecorded all three runners withthe same time.The female category was less hardfought with Thai star SunisaSailomyen winning her first raceback after childbirth. She finishedjust a minute ahead of KhetmaneeSenaphan.In the half marathon raceBoontueng Srisan again proved tohard to beat, winning his fifthconsecutive ING Thailand TempleRun. In the women’s race DianeFusealdo from Australia becamethe first ever foreign runner to winat the event.the temple also blesses runners inthe traditional Thai openingceremony before the race getsunder way.To the sound of a gong, runnersare sent on an out and backcourse leading through typicalThai villages, through fruitplantations, rice paddies and pastmore than twenty temples. Thaimusic bands and supportivelocals cheer the runners along thecourse and even the numerousdogs give a supportive bark.Water stations are plentiful on thecourse and provide welcomerefreshment for runners astemperatures soar from a mild22C at the marathon start at 05.30to a scorching 35C by 10.00. Thereare sponges, local fruits, stickyrice and plenty of water andelectrolytes served by the alwayssmiling volunteers.Foreign runners get a chance tosee the course on a race siteinspection the day before theevent. The tour also gives runnersa chance to experience some ofthe sights of the province whichmay escape them during theirfleeting visit during the race. Avisit to the famous floatingmarkets is obligatory.Lunch is served at a local homestay on the river banks wherethere is a choice of the famousTom Yum Koong soup, deliciousThai curries, local river fish andthe traditional fried rice. The easyThai hospitality gives runners achance to get to know each otherand catch up on the globalrunning scene. There are Brits,Coping best with the lack of sleepwas local runner BoonchooChandecha. The reigningSoutheast Asian MarathonChampion had to fight toughresistance from Jirasak Sutthichatand Umnuai Thongmit. All threeof them crossed the finish lineNext year’s race is set for 18March 2007 and promises to beagain an exotic destination on theAIMS race calendar.26 DISTANCE RUNNING April – June 2006