The next long holiday weekend won’t be till March, but if you can afford to take leave from work or a spontaneous short trip, do check out Thailand’s greatest marathon!

Back in Khon Kaen on Sunday, 24 January 2016, the Khon Kaen international running event features a Full Marathon (42.195 km), Half Marathon (21.1 km), Mini Marathon (11.55 km), and a Walk & Fun Run (4.5 km).

All races will start and finish at Golden Jubilee Convention Hall in Khon Kaen University. To avoid bottlenecks and congestion, half-marathoners will divert left near the 2 km mark on a different route from the full marathoners. 21.1 km runners will first head towards Sai Fon Village before making a U-turn to by-pass Raja City Village on the way back.

Meanwhile, 42.195 km marathoners will continue to head towards the iconic Nong Waeng Temple close to Khaen Nakorn Lake. They will later pass by a market, a few temples, the town hall and schools, seeing much of the city along the way.

Organised annually for 13 years, the race is officially sanctioned by the Association of International marathons and Road Races (AIMS) and the Athletic Association of Thailand (IAAF Rules). There will be water, mineral drink, fruit and first aid stations situated along the race routes.

Will New Records Be Broken This Year?

Melly Alex from Kenya took home last year’s marathon win with a finish time of 02:22:42 while reigning women’s champion was Shiferaw Rahel Kebede from Ethiopia with a time of 02:49:12.

All eyes are on the marathon as the best male and top female who beat the previous record and have the best time will be further rewarded a special cash prize of 100,000 Baht and 50,000 Baht respectively.

Across all the competitive marathons, the first 5 men and first 5 women overall, as well as those in each age group, will be awarded trophies and cash prizes.

Registration Still Open!

Online registration has closed but you can still register in person two days before the race. Register directly with race organisers at Golden Jubilee Convention Hall in Khon Kaen University on 22 and 23 January 2016, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Do note that there is no race-day registration.

For non-Thai residents, entry fees payable on 22 and 23 January are as follows: US$80 for the Marathon, US$60 for the Half Marathon, US$50 for the Mini Marathon, and US$10 for the Walk & Fun Run.

All marathon participants (full, half and mini) will each receive a race bib, timing chip, race singlet, and finishers’ medal and certificate. Walk & Fun Run participants will get to take home finisher medals too!

Head over to the official Khon Kaen International Marathon website for more details.