The National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) has for the first time been invited to send a team of runners to participate in The Pattaya Marathon, Thailand. The marathon has been growing in status every year and now attracts more than 10,000 runners from all over the world, competing for top prizes.

This is an opportunity to run along the beach road in one of the most picturesque routes in South East Asia, and raise money for charity at the same time, so why not join our team for this unique event by raising just €2,900 for NCBI!

This year will be the 10th anniversary of the Marathon being held in this beachside city site and is the official tournament for the Asia Marathon Championship. Participants will join with runners representing other Irish charities. This year is the first year in which wheelchair athletes and people with disabilities will participate in the tournament alongside other athletes, and is a major achievement for all involved.

The team will spend 10 days in Thailand, some of which will be spent preparing and taking part in the marathon itself on July 18th. There will of course be some time for some well-deserved rest and recreation after the marathon. One of the reasons many compete in this event is the absolute beauty of the surroundings. An internationally well-known, stunning seaside resort, Pattaya is a vibrant city day and night. If participants wish, they may opt at their own expense to stay on in Thailand to sample some of the mouth-watering authentic Thai cuisine, visit the scores of attractions in and around Pattaya or simply relax on the beach. .

Don’t worry if you are no Sonia O’ Sullivan! The marathon will be divided into 3 categories: a 42km marathon and wheelchair, a 21km half-marathon, and an 11km quarter-marathon, so runners can choose to participate at the level of ability that suits them best. This is an event for amateur athletes, Sunday runners, locals and world-class marathon runners alike. There is still plenty of time to train between now and July, all that is needed is the time and commitment to train, and the ability to raise €2,900pp to cover costs. This price not only includes return flights, accommodation, food, local guides, and insurance cover for the individual, but also raises substantial funds for the National Council for the Blind of Ireland.

Funds raised by this event are used to enable the NCBI to provide essential services for vision impaired people in Ireland such as advice, information and support, mobility and daily living skills training, peer counseling and family therapy, low vision clinic, talking book and Braille libraries and much more.

So grab this chance to join an exciting race with a difference in a truly beautiful, location!

For further information on how to participate, please contact Clare Mac Dermott on 01 830 7033, email clare.macdermott@ncbi.ie

2nd April 2004

For media enquiries, please contact Emily Cunnane on 01 8307033,

Email: emily.cunnane@ncbi.ie