From Left; Director of Sports Authority of Thailand, Phuket , Virat Patee , Assistant Director Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office, Wanapa Suksomboon, Vice Phuket Governor, Dr. Sommai Prijasilpa and JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa’s General Manager and Chairman of Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation, Oriol Montol
Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation in conjunction with JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa and supporters held the 10th Turtle Fun Run and Mini Marathon 2014 with more than 700 runners on Sunday September 14th 2014 at Pru Jeh San Lake, Mai Khao Beach, Phuket.
The event started in the early morning with a keynote address from Phuket Vice-Governor – Dr Sommai Preechasilpa and a welcome speech from JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa’s General Manager and chairman of the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation – Mr.Oriol Montol, followed with the 3.5 km and 10.5 km races, along with environmental activities.
For both runs, trophies were awarded for 1st-5th placed entrants and cash prices of THB 1,000-2,000 for 1st-3rd placed entrants in both the male and female categories. The first 700 registered runners also received a running shirt and medal..
The 10th Annual Turtle Fun Run and Mini Marathon – while also aiming to encourage in people a healthy lifestyle – is a collaborative effort by the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation, the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa and its partners to raise funds and awareness of the conservation work done by the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) and its ‘The Injured Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Program’ to rescue, rehabilitate and release injured turtles, dolphins, whales and dugongs.
Additionally, part of the funds raised from the event will support the foundation and hotels’ newest project, The Marine Turtle Shelter & Education Center, which will serve as a home for injured turtles who are unable to return to the sea. Once in operation in April of 2015, it will welcome four injured turtles including ‘Tommy the Turtle’ who was born nine months ago at the PMBC, with no eyes
The 1st – 5th place winner, Khun Werkialem Shenu, Khun Wannaporn Belenscot, Khun Ashlee Stewart, Khun Charlotte Webb and Khun Sriamornya Eaktaweewattanadesh from 10.5-km run (Female Open) category receiving the trophy from Vice Phuket Governor, Dr. Sommai Prijasilpa
Phuket’s endangered sea turtles – which use Mai Khao Beach as a nesting ground – are facing multiple threats, their numbers have severely depleted in recent years. Commercial fishing kills thousands of them every year, while many more die from eating or becoming trapped in plastic debris littering the ocean.
For more information about the foundation, please contact Khun Kittipan, Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation Manager, via email info@maikhaomarineturtlefoundation.org or call +6689-733-8830.
The 1st – 5th place winner, Khun Dusta Fitsu, Khun Sinchai Siricha, Khun John Njihia, Khun Chris McCormack and Khun D’llulst Michael from 10.5-km run (Male Open) category receiving the trophy from Vice Phuket Governor, Dr. Sommai Prijasilpa