Skip to main content

Running a road race: 15th Amari-BMW midnight run

Running a road race is not exactly my thing. But I'm curious and willing to try anything new (well, except bungy jumping or serpent curry). On Saturday, October 20th, 2012 more than 5,000 runners joined the 15th Amari Watergate and BMW Thailand Charity Midnight Run. It's the only race in Bangkok held at night which is one appealing factor to many. And I didn't have to pay to run. A friend who works for a major sponsor of the race, Bangkok Hospital, used her professional connection to sort that out for me. Thank you Loreyne.


We arrived at the assembly point about two hours before midnight, and was it a lot of fun. I was beginning to wonder whether I was running or simply socializing through the chatter, the games, and the photo opp. A quick sprint down Google lane shows the causes that would benefit from the race - Baht for a Better Life Project, Chalerm Prakiat in Lampoon and Baan Gerda in Lopburi. The latter two are schools with a similar purpose - education of children whose HIV-infected parents have passed away.


There were family teams in the race.  Children were excited to run. Soon they rode on ambulances when they got tired.


These runners do not know each other; not even speak the same language. I loved observing them being friendly and just having a great time.


Pre-run and awarding ceremonies were held on this stage at the Amari Watergate premises. The post-race party at Henry J. Beans Bar and Grill reportedly lasted til early Sunday morning.



12km and 6km distances. I ran about an eighth of 1km, deviated to the right by the former World Trade and walked the rest to the sky train station. I was working Sunday at 8 a.m.


I learned a few things. Here's hoping I was excused.

Comments

  1. Sounds like you had a lot of fun. I hope to run in a night face someday myself. This was a nice read.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Brad. Hope you get to run in a night race soon.

      Delete
  2. I'd add this on the list of races I'd like to join in Bangkok if I ever end up racing in Bangkok.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Franc, you may want to mark your social/travel calendar - the next midnight run in Bangkok will be on Saturday, 19th October 2013. That's according to Amari Watergate GM Pierre-Andre Pelletier.

      Delete
  3. A midnight run is a welcome change from the norm. I've joined a run just once, and I did enjoy it immensely.

    ReplyDelete
  4. wow nice. really seem it was such a fun run. hope to experience midnight run also someday :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sarap! I haven't joined midnight runs... I don't think I can keep up with the hype. hihih...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Certainly sounds like a lot of fun. Don't think I could run in the dark as I would probably end up tripping up.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Fun photos and great post for 'R' for AbC ~ (A Creative Harbor) ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm afraid I'm not very good at running races but bravo to those who can.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Looks like you had loads of fun!

    Leslie
    abcw team

    ReplyDelete
  10. Running with friends is fun!

    My first time to join ABC Wednesday.
    Mae

    ReplyDelete
  11. I see a lot of running today ! Very sportive !
    Gattina
    ABC Team

    ReplyDelete
  12. It's a romantic notion to run at midnight. You captured a wonderful moment in that 4th photograph. I ran two marathons (both many years ago). What I remember most is the camaraderie.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

They're just breasts

What is it about men and nudity? Particularly breasts... How can you be so interested in them? I mean seriously: they're just breasts. Every second person has them. They're odd looking, they're for milk from your mother. What's all the fuss about? In case you were wondering... that was Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) talking to William (Hugh Grant) the morning after they slept together. Notting Hill has been awhile. So have breasts. But not these features of the Woman and Child gallery at the Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre. They are fairly recent. That's My World Tuesday is brought to you by the MyWorld team Klaus Sandy Wren Fishing Guy Sylvia

Walking by

Skywatch : west side of Taj Mahal Sally's Blues /  Reflections : by the blue lotus pond Fave Five: Living to  Tell the Story   /   Shine the Divine October has been very eventful. Stress and joys, adventures and challenges, you name it. It's wonderful to have the chance to express gratefulness for making it through this final week of a beautiful month. i. Surviving a task at work on finance/statistics: not my expertise but I did it. ii. Another world landmark off the bucket list. Taj Mahal is quite a love monument. iii. Angel friends : geographically distant (Canada) but willing to stick it out in their iphones the whole night to give emotional support. iv.  Kiddo in church with minimal adult supervision. The singing ministry does him good.   v. Mom's back at home after fighting off inflammation of the lungs and heart successfully. Now I can breathe.   

Those charming moments

Skywatch : city is far behind and I'm loving it! Reflections : serenade I buy books just because.... My not-so-old hat from the antiques section of a weekend market  A little yummy error Maybe I had more of those charming moments this week than the other weeks. I'm thankful. Swiss sheep farm . Anything that takes me out of sight of urbanization, rising concrete (condos) and drab parking spaces - I'm in. What a treat for the country girl in me! Somewhere out there   beneath the pale moonlight... . It's not everyday you get serenaded. I appreciated it. A lot. The Heart Garden, Eating People is Wrong , etc: my loot from Neilson Hays book sale. Knockoff prices, old plus beautiful library architecture - just my kind of awesome. Antiques therapy . My apartment is bursting I could hardly navigate the floor without my feet touching things so I didn't buy a truckload this week. Just the one hat. Thanks to the shining sun I had an ...