YWCA BEACH FUN RUN/WALK
YWCA BEACH FUN RUN/WALK
There are many ways to have fun in Pattaya whilst raising funds for the needy – the bed race, beach football, the marathon. We are almost at the point where it is difficult to put together a new idea to provoke the excitement in people’s minds that they want to be involved.
But last year YWCA came up a new idea, the Beach Fun Run/Walk. With the consent and best wishes of City Hall, competitors started on the beach at the Central Festival, made their way to the Amari Hotel and back again. A 3 km stroll with the sea on one side and the newly landscaped Beach Road on the other – not a problem. More than a thousand participants thought this would be easy and a nice way to spend a couple of hours seeing a wonderful sunset surrounded by many happy walkers. Well the children had no problem but others, old enough to know better, found that this was not so easy and many staggered over the finish line vowing never to do that again, perhaps the same walkers that voiced that opinion last year, their memories deserting them in a moment of weakness, or was it just to raise funds for the underprivileged. Walking or running on soft sand is very tiring but medical care were not needed and ambulances were not called on but YWCA had provided some nourishment at the end of the race to fortify, particularly, those in need and gasping for breath.
But it was all in a good cause. YWCA were delighted with the response for they have a number of charitable projects that will benefit from the days acvtivities including glasses for school children, scholarships, mushroom farms, a home for abused ladies to name a few.
The Mayor Khun Itthipole Khunplome opened the event and presented some prizes for there were many for both males and females of varying age groups which were sponsored by Pattaya Sports Club, Jesters Rotary and others. Thai dancers entertained the crowd, not only the walkers, but many who had congregated discover what was happening.
Many spectators attended the prize giving.
There were some young runners.
Thai dancers entertained the crowds.
The Mayor, Itthipole Khunplome presented some prizes.
All the prize winners together.