Sorry for this late entry..I did the Adidas King of The Road 16.8km in the City of Angels on the 15th May 2011.
Bib collection was done at the event area ie the National Stadium which is a cluster of sport buildings in central Bangkok. In fact, it is next Mah Boon Krong..or MBK shopping mall.
Registration was also possible on the Saturday before. The run was great because I had the opportunity to reconnect with Thai friend Sasie. She was indeed the hostest with the mostest. Yup, to the extend that she even decided to sign up for the race on Saturday.
There are 2 categories ie the 8km and the 16.8km.
The 16.8km started at 5:30 am and the 8km started at 6am. We arrived at the race site before 5am.
The route was interesting because it runs through central Bangkok in comparison to the Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon which runs on the highway towards the south.
From Rama 4 road, we turned right into Surawong Road. The Jim Thompson's boutique and headquarters will greet you there. Surawong is also famous for a lane or Soi ..Soi Patpong.
From Surawong we turned left into Mahesak road. This is just a small road except that you will pass Silom Road and The Holiday Inn Silom. Silom Road is also another famous tourist district and the imposing Bangkok Bank HQ.
From Silom, we turned left again into Sathorn Road..That is the business district of Bangkok where a lot of the companies and banks HQ are located. The Malaysian embassy is also located here. From there, we turned right into Rama 4 again. The Suan Lum night market is no longer there but nearby will be the Lumphini Muay Thai stadium. This stadium is hallowed ground for any inspiring Muay Thai boxer.
Before we turn left into Soi Asoke, you can see the Klong Toey slum on your right. This is the poorest part of Bangkok. Many charities and missionaries do their work here.
You will see the Sirikit Convention Center along soi Asoke. This building is a grand old dame more..almost 20 years old. I visited an architecture exhibition here in 1994!
From Asoke right before the turn into Sukhumvit, will be the check point..On Sukhumvit, we will pass the Sheraton Grande before heading to Soi Nana..Another famous tourist district.
We will run towards Chitlom . Pass the Central Department store. This is the flagship store and HQ. After that, we will pass by the big juction of Ratchaprasong remenicent of the Red Shirts demonstrations.
Passed the Siam Square and the MBK again, we almost home.. But we have to do one lap around the stadium before finish.
I wasn't chasing for time. I didn't even have bench mark for a 16.8km. But I took my camera and had a wonderful time in the City of Angels..
Khawp Kun Krub Krung Thep Mahanakorn..(thank you the City of Angels)
You can view the photographs of the run by clicking this link
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150189175625798.327029.790950797
