Almost 4500 participants from 40 countries have signed up for the fourth Laguna Phuket International Marathon. This is more than double the number of runners compared to the first event in 2006.

LagunaMarathonaward_0215 Despite the global economic crisis and the slowdown in international tourism, the increase in athlete numbers demonstrates that participatory events targeting international audiences are an effective mechanism to drive tourism in these complex times.

“Since the inaugural event in 2006 there has been an impressive one hundred per cent increase in entries from 2038 in 2006 to an anticipated 4450 in 2009”, writes the organizers Go Adventure Asia in a press release.

“We are delighted that the level of entries forecast for this year is up ten percent from last year.”

“When we envisioned a marathon in Phuket as early as 2004 we knew that success would not happen overnight. We have worked continuously over the last five years to promote the event to a worldwide audience. We have established relationships with travel agents around the world, regularly attend major international marathon expos to promote our event and use e-marketing to communicate with our target market. We are excited to see that this hard work is now starting to pay off”, said Raimund Wellenhofer, Race Director of the Laguna Phuket International Marathon.

A series of events will kick off on Friday 12 June starting with a two-day expo featuring sponsor booths and a number of activities including a welcome pasta party at Laguna Beach Resort the evening before the event and a farewell party on race day. Race day on 14 June will comprise a 42k Marathon, a 21k Half-marathon, a 10.5k Run, a 2k Kids Run and a 5k Walk.

Participants in any of the races at the 2009 Laguna Phuket International Marathon are encouraged to take part in fundraising for charity, whether it is a charity of their choice or Laguna Phuket’s preferred cause, a rural school in neighboring Phang-nga province called Ban Klong Sai.

To highlight the event’s charity angle, Laguna Phuket will offer interested competitors the opportunity to visit Ban Klong Sai School and see how the money is being spent on Saturday 13 June. The fieldtrip will include opportunity for participants to get involved with the students, teachers, and community in efforts to increase the school’s sustainability.

“A trip to Phang Nga province is an ideal opportunity to see the more traditional way of life in Thailand particularly when tied with this sustainable development work within a rural school, where a little assistance goes such a long way. This project is a golden opportunity for athletes to really experience the most from their marathon efforts”, said Niyom Tassaneetipagorn, Laguna Phuket’s Senior Assistant Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Community Relations.

The fourth Laguna Phuket International Marathon is scheduled for Sunday 14 June 2009 at Laguna Phuket.

Online registration is now open until 5 June 2009. For further information about the event or to register, visit www.phuketmarathon.com.