Megabangna, the first low-rise super regional shopping center in Southeast Asia, and Prudential Life Assurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited have teamed up with partners including Samitivej Hospital and 100 Plus to organise "Megabangna & Prudential International Half Marathon 2015."
Claimed as the first international half marathon for a good cause in Thailand, the fun run invites local and international runners as well as the general public to join force in a campaign for exercise by walking and running for a better health. Moreover, all proceeds without deducting any expenses will be donated to the Samitivej's New Life Fund, which will benefit underprivileged children suffering from thalassemia, who need bone marrow transplant but cannot afford the costly treatment. By participating in the event, competitors and participants can help these children to return to a healthy life.This year's event will be held on November 1st ,2015 at Megabangna Shopping Center.
"Megabangna has a policy to support social spirited activities, a step toward growing together with the society and creating sustainability, In this year's event we have joined hands with Prudential Life Assurance (Thailand) and our valued partners to make it possible. It is the first ever international half marathon here and its objective is truly inspiring – to campaign for and encourage our employees and those working for our partners as well as the general public to do more exercise by walking and running for a better health. This aligns with today's lifestyle trend where people are increasingly taking care of their health, and exercise has definitely become an integral part of it." said Christian Olofsson, Managing Director of Megabangna Shopping Center.According to Mr. Olofsson, all proceeds without deducting any expenses will be donated to Samitivej's New Life Fund, which will benefit underprivileged children who are suffering from thalassemia and need appropriately immediate treatment.
"We expect to see more than 5,000 competitors at the start of the half marathon. I would like to invite all interested persons and the enthusiastic health conscious to join us this year. Together, we can give a helping hand to underprivileged children and provide them with opportunities for more proper and timely treatment. With our concerted effort, we are creating the society of sharing where these child patients have courage to live a happy life filled with smile, and they will grow up to be a good, healthier future generation of the country," said Mr. Olofsson.
Mr. Binayak Dutta , Chief Executive Officer of Prudential Life Assurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited, said, "Over the past 20 years of doing business in Thailand, we have committed to creating good things for the Thai society and this has always been our main philosophy. As this year's event coincides with our 20th anniversary celebration on November 1, we value it a great opportunity that two business sectors, coupled with our two enthusiastic partners, combine efforts to organize an activity that helps promote a better health among Thai people and foreign residents, and more than that, supports a charity ( Samitivej's New Life Fund) to make it possible for underprivileged children with thalassemia to get bone marrow transplant. With this simple thing, you can save them from suffering, give them a new life and enable them to stay happy and healthy like other children. It is also the first time more than 200 of our staff to participate in all race categories of the half marathon and the fun walk-run."
Megabangna & Prudential International Half Marathon 2015 is a 21.1km half marathon. Race categories include a 10.5km marathon and a 5km fun walk-run. The start and finishing line will be at Megabangna. On the event date, November 1st, 2015, competitors will be released at 5.00 hours based on their age ranges and gender. The 1st – 5th winners of both male and female categories will receive trophies of honour and cash prizes worth totally 300,000 baht. The half marathon route will be on Bangna-Trad Road, with outbound lanes from Bangna intersection to Bangna-Trad KM8 being shut down between 4.00 – 8.00 hours of the event date, November 1st, 2015.
The half marathon consists of three race categories: 1) 21.1km half marathon starting at 5.00 hours; 2) 10.5km mini marathon starting at 6.00 hours; and 3) 5km fun walk (no competition and age classification) starting at 6.00 hours. Each of the participants in all distances, who cross the finishing line, will receive Megabangna & Prudential International Half Marathon 2015 T-shirt and commemorative coin. Running clubs with the 1st – 5th largest number of runners participating in the event will also be awarded plague of honour.
Additionally, Southeast Asia's first Running Clinic will be available at the event for participants to meet with Samitivej Hospital's specialists from its Sports & Orthopedic Center, who will be willing to give useful advice as well as tips and techniques on running, dealing with possible injuries and maintaining physical fitness.
Special Event on October 30th -31st , 2015 from 16.00 – 22.00 hours and November 1st, 2015 throughout the day, participants will have a chance to shop around at the Marathon Expo, a flea market featuring fashion, sports, food and beverage and lifestyles products from more than 100 retail outlets run by celebrities, famous actors/actresses, singers and online shops. There will also be a mini concert featuring a crowd of music artists at the entrance hall of IKEA.
For more convenience, there will be shuttle bus service available for free for participants to travel to and from the event. The service starts from 3.30 and 4.00 hours at the bus stop in front of Lumpini Park on Rama 4 Road (opposite to U Chu Liang Building).
Exclusively special for Megabangna customers, a slip of every 1,000-baht spending or more can be used to redeem a discount coupon when applying for the half marathon. Simply contact the gift Redemption Counter at 1st floor near BigC Extra. This special offer is limited till stock last and redemption is valid until September 30th, 2015. For more information, please visit www.mega-bangna.com or call 02-105-1867.