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Published on November 6, 2007

The event, scheduled for November 18 on Sanam Chai Road in front of the Royal Grand Palace, is expected to attract some 50,000 participants. Meanwhile "Running with blind runners" is being organised to pay tribute to His Majesty the King on his 80th birthday celebrations.

Montian Buntan, chairperson of Thailand Association of the Blind, who is helping organise the show, said the 80 blind runners are delighted to have got the opportunity to demonstrate their loyalty to HM the King by running in the marathon. "They have been practising every Sunday for the past three weeks in total dedication to get fit and take part in the run. There is still a week left to practise before the real race."

To run the race, 80 blind runners need to pair up with guides. Volunteers have been enlisted including a group of celebrities, namely well-known actor Thanongsak Suppakarn, singer "Mint" Autthawadee Jiramaneekun and Nongpanga Viangsamut, a leukaemia patient and a gold medallist in road race category in the recent World Transplant Games.

The Bangkok Marathon is Asia's biggest distance running event, held annually with Standard Chartered Bank (Thai) PCL as the event's major sponsor. For more information about the event, visit: www.bkkmarathon.com or call 0 2628 8361.

The Nation