The Bangkok Marathon (; also known as BDMS Bangkok Marathon for sponsorship reasons) is a
marathon
The marathon is a long-distance foot race with a distance of kilometres ( 26 mi 385 yd), usually run as a road race, but the distance can be covered on trail routes. The marathon can be completed by running or with a run/walk strategy. There ...
held annually in
Bangkok
Bangkok, officially known in Thai language, Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estim ...
,
Thailand
Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...
, since 1987.
The marathon is recognized by the
Association of International Marathons and Distance Races
The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races, also known as AIMS, is an association of the organisers of long-distance road running races. It was founded in 1982 at a meeting in London of marathon race directors. Its membership wa ...
(AIMS).
History
In 1987, a marathon was held over the
Rama IX Bridge
Rama IX Bridge (, , ) is a bridge in Bangkok, Thailand over the Chao Phraya River. It connects the Yan Nawa District to Rat Burana District as a part of the Tha Ruea – Dao Khanong Section of Chaloem Maha Nakhon Expressway.
The bridge was nam ...
in honor of
the king's 60th birthday.
Called the Royal Marathon, it helped launch a running boom in Thailand.
In 2013, the course of the half marathon was changed at the last minute because of concurrent Bangkok street protests which reduced the distance of the half marathon from 21.1 km (13.1 miles) to 19.7 km (12.2 miles).
The 2020-2021 edition of the race was postponed to 2021 due to the
coronavirus pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
, before registration opened.
Course
The course passes many historical landmarks of cultural and ethnic importance. The marathon starts and finishes in front of The Royal
Grand Palace
The Grand Palace (, Royal Institute of Thailand. (2011). ''How to read and how to write.'' (20th Edition). Bangkok: Royal Institute of Thailand. . ) is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the officia ...
at
Sanam Chai Road
Sanam Chai Road (, , ) is a historic street in Bangkok's Phra Nakhon District. It continues from Ratchadamnoen Nai Road at the northeastern corner of the Grand Palace, and runs south to meet Rachini and Maharat roads near the mouth of the old c ...
. The race course is sanctioned by The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and the Amateur Athletic Association of Thailand (IAAF Rules).
Other races
Along with full and half marathons, 10 km and 5 km races were also held.
Winners
Key: Course record (in bold)
Notes
References
{{Road running competitions in Thailand
Sports competitions in Bangkok
Marathons in Thailand
Events in Bangkok
Recurring sporting events established in 1987
1987 establishments in Thailand