Laguna Phuket International Marathon confirmed for 15 June 2008

The date for the third Laguna Phuket International Marathon has been confirmed as Sunday 15 June 2008. Organised by Go Adventure Asia, the 2008 Marathon expects to welcome some 4000 participants, including 1500 runners from approximately 40 countries.

A series of events will kick-off on Friday 13 June starting with a two-day expo featuring sponsor booths and a number of activities. Race day on 15 June will comprise a 42k Marathon, a 21k Half-marathon, a 10.5k Run, a 2k Kids Run and a 5k Walk.

The 42k Marathon's scenic course will start and end within Laguna Phuket, passing through tropical rainforests, rubber plantations and local villages, heading north towards Nai Yang beach before turning back to Laguna Phuket. The course is flat with some rolling hills in between.

Japanese eco-marathoner and slow-running advocate Hajime Nishi, who has participated in the event the previous two years, will be returning to the Laguna Phuket International Marathon once again. This year, he will be sharing his "Slow is Beautiful" running philosophy with other runners, leading a group of interested participants over the course. His focus will be purely on the enjoyment of the race, interaction with spectators and volunteers and taking photos along the way without the pressure of achieving a certain finish time. On the eve of the marathon he will also deliver a talk on his mission and brief participants on what to expect on race day.

The Japanese marathon globetrotter and Guinness World Record holder has run more than 500 marathons and has a target of finishing 1000 marathons by the year 2050.

Participants in any of the races at the 2008 Laguna Phuket International Marathon are also encouraged to take part in fundraising for charity, whether it is a charity of their choice or HOPE worldwide Thailand, the event's official charity. HOPE worldwide Thailand supports and promotes activities of the Department of Public Welfare and the Ministry of Social Development. Each participant taking part in the fundraising effort is to pledge to raise a certain amount of money for the charity at the same time that they pledge to compete in one of the races on 15 June.

Online registration is now open until 5 June 2008. The early bird period will end on 31 March.

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