Inaugural Hua Hin City Half Marathon draws strong turnout
Over 1,000 Thai and international runners took part in the inaugural Hua Hin City Half Marathon on Sunday, highlighting the town’s growing potential as a sports tourism destination.
The event was held on 19 July, with the races starting and finishing outside Market Village Hua Hin.
Police Colonel Samoe Yusamran, adviser to the Mayor of Hua Hin, officially opened the event and started the runners.
Those attending included Jirawan Boonrit, deputy director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Prachuap Khiri Khan Office; Kitipong Siripetchkasem, president of the Hua Hin-Cha-am Tourism Business Association; Police Colonel Kampanat Na Wichai, superintendent of Hua Hin Police Station; and Setthasak Lathong, general manager of Market Village Hua Hin.
Hua Hin City Half Marathon features three distances
Runners competed across three distances: the 21-kilometre half marathon, the 10-kilometre mini marathon and the 5-kilometre fun run.
The races took place in cool early morning conditions, with sections of roads in Hua Hin temporarily closed to accommodate participants.
After the competition, Hua Hin Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul joined other guests in presenting trophies to the winners in each category. He also congratulated the runners and thanked those involved in organising the event.
Organisers said the Hua Hin City Half Marathon was intended to encourage exercise and greater awareness of health and fitness.
The event also brought additional visitors to the area, providing income for hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses.
Local officials said the turnout demonstrated Hua Hin’s ability to host large sporting events and could support efforts to attract more domestic and international running competitions in the future.
