Bangkok Midnight Marathon (BMM) 2020 organizers have apologized and will open the event to international runners after experiencing a storm of backlash over excluding foreigners from racing.
Its Facebook account, Bangkok Midnight Marathon, announced that registration for ex-pat runners will open on Aug 13. For the 21 km run, the daily entry fee is 950 baht. That is 200 baht more than the price for early birds, which was only accessible until Saturday evening.
The Facebook page and social media of the Bangkok Midnight Marathon were filled with angry messages on Friday regarding the "new normal race."
The online registration form, which allows only Thais to register, was what fuelled outrage.
Former running and athletics fitness mentor Gregor Rasp, who has stayed in Thailand for 20 years, said the initiative is misguided. Earlier, the promoters claimed they had behaved in good conscience to take care by disallowing those with a "travel background" to take part, since people who had recently been abroad may present a higher risk of coronavirus. Thailand, though, is home to thousands of foreigners who, like the local Thais in recent months, have not been anywhere outside of Thailand.
On Friday, Boonperm Intanapasat, organizer of the Bangkok Midnight Marathon run, released a resolution apologizing for the supposed suspension. Saying "failing to acknowledge that there were many ex-pats here who wished to run in the event."
He added that the last thing they wish to do is to hurt any culture. "We respect all nationalities athletes."
Source: CTN News
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