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Piers Simon appeal marathon raises over 200,000 baht
for Tsunami relief
Tara Colen
Powerhouse
Gym provided activities including lifting for PSA marathoners.
26.2 Miles, 42 kilometers, 112 laps around a 375 meter
track. That was the goal for runners and walkers at the Piers Simon Appeal
marathon at the Prem Center on February 4, 2006. The marathon was a
fundraising event, which turned out to be a huge success, as over 200,000
baht was raised.
Runners and walkers from all over Chiang Mai gathered
around the Prem track to raise money for the appeal, which will donate the
money to the Population and Development Community Association
(www.pda.or.th), a group that has been supporting rural communities in
Southern Thailand since the tsunami.
The Piers Simon Appeal (PSA) was founded in early 2005.
It was founded by a tsunami survivor, Luke Simon who lost his brother Piers
on December 26, 2004. Since the tsunami, Luke has created a foundation to
commemorate his brother’s life while making life better for local victims
of the tragedy. The PSA has held several charity events including concerts
and a marathon, to continue raising funds for relief efforts in Southern
Thailand.
 ‘The
Original’ team, made up of five PTIS Junior School students - Ben Nabnian,
Emily Nabnian, Sydney Holofcener, Lydia Oliver, and James Vose ran hard to
complete 112 laps for the PSA marathon.
The marathon at Prem Center was a day of sunshine and
activities. People participated in everything from laps around the track, to
beginner rock climbing activities, a raffle, singing, dancing, and eating.
Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures and Powerhouse Gym were on hand to help
lead games, while The Thai Kebab, La Gondola Restaurant, and Black Canyon
Coffee were present to sell food and drinks. Merchandise including PSA
jumpers, t-shirts, wristbands, flip flops, bags, hats, and more were
available.
Sixteen teams participated, all finishing the race. The
teams were made up of people of all ages and sizes. Various teams were
dressed in color coordinated costumes while other teams had all participants
wear the same t-shirt. Team members took turns as they made their way around
the track so that they could finish 112 laps. Luke Simon, organizer of the
marathon commented, “I thought the day was a terrific success. I was
thrilled that so many people came and participated. We wanted to make use of
the good facilities at Prem and primarily our aim was to get people to
exercise and exert themselves a little for a good cause in a fun filled
environment.”
On behalf of the Piers Simon Appeal, sincere thanks are extended to
everyone who contributed towards the day - your generosity was very much
appreciated. To find out more about the Piers Simon Appeal go to
www.pierssimonappeal.org.
U.S. Consulate Cup stronger than ever
Larry Bouchard
 ake
wowed the audience through his hard-hitting teamwork with sister, Tess.
The U.S. Consulate Cup V brought in younger energy than
ever and eager tennis players - and was a three-day marathon of fun on the
first weekend of February.
Although other Consulates were missing from play this
time around (not for lack of trying - British Honorary Consul John
Glendinning injured his ankle getting ready for the match), members of the
U.S. Consulate community and friends rallied in greater numbers than ever.
Taking home the single “Run the Gauntlet” cup was Consular Section Chief
John Spykerman, while Gai Pawittranon of Bake and Bite fame and the
Consulate’s Mike Carter took home the doubles cups in a squeaker of a
match. (Khun Gai is also the proud owner of an earlier Consulate Cup.)
At Consulate Cup IV a year ago, more than a half dozen spectators pledged
to take the plunge and learn the sport - and proudly competed this time
around. Going the farthest among the younger crowd were Tess and Jake Haebe,
a sister-brother duo that will be
unstoppable in future competitions.
A
newcomer to the sport, Libby was inspired to play by Consulate Cup IV and
tossed her tennis cap into the Consulate Cup V ring.
Winners
Mike and Gai (at left) squeaked by runners-up Lindy and Nicolas (at right).
It was a 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 victory. John (center), the chair umpire for the big
doubles final, took the singles competition cup home.
Chiang Mai resident wins Phuket Championship
Chiang Mai resident Weerasak
Wongmalee was the overall winner for Division C at the Blue Canyon Golf Open
Championship, sponsored by NIKE. 210 golfers from seven countries
participated in the two days event, played on the fabled Canyon courses in
Phuket on which Tiger Woods posted the lowest amateur score of 71 in 1994.
The awards to Weerasak were presented by Sia
Leng Yuen, Chairman and CEO of the Blue Canyon Country Club. In 2004,
Weerasak also won his division in the same tournament.
Chiang Mai Pool League: Blue Sky Bar pips Chiangers and Bangers
Pat Black
 This
season’s runners-up - Blue Sky Bar.
There were no surprises in the final fixtures of the
Chiang Mai Pool League, and with comfortable wins for both sides in
contention for runners-up, Blue Sky Bar edging Chiangers and Bangers for
second spot on games difference.
Needing to win at Friend’s Corner, Blue Sky Bar went
about their task in businesslike fashion by sewing up the match before
halftime. A shell-shocked Corner regained their poise in the second half by
taking two of the last three games, but a 6-3 win for The Bar was enough to
secure them with the runners-up trophy.
Chiangers and Bangers built a 4-2 lead by the end of the
singles in their match, and while opponents, Blue Sky Garden, made a token
comeback by winning the first doubles; Chiangers took the remaining two
frames.
These two results left Blue Sky Bar and Chian-gers level
on points; however, The Bar had a superior games difference of eleven on the
count-back.
Too far adrift on games for runners-up, The Wall ensured
themselves of fourth place with a win against Happy Bar. They launched
themselves into a 4-2 lead by the break, and ran out 6-3 victors to end
their season one point behind Chiangers.
As outgoing champions, The Local said that they had
something to prove against their successors Half Moon Pub, and maybe they
did with a 7-2 triumph in their lighthearted encounter. And despite being
the last match to finish, as per usual, the final black went down a bit
earlier - at eleven fifteen.
In other matches, the team at Number 1 Pub performed well
on their renewed playing surface, as they moved up to 10th spot in the
league with a 6-3 success over December Bar.
On the other hand, a losing streak of eight consecutive
defeats caused Out Back’s league position to collapse to 11th, and last
week’s loss at home to Rock Hard Bistro lifted the away side up from 9th
to 7th.
Enjoy Place also had a torrid season, but they ended it
on a brighter note by winning 5-4 at La Villa.
The standard of play in the Chiang Mai Pool League
continues to improve, and today there is a wealth of really good players
from the top to bottom. This time out, Chiangers and Bangers and Friend’s
Corner enjoyed their best season ever, and even Happy Bar, who propped up
the league with just 3 points, lost a dozen or so matches by the lowest of
margins.
At this stage, many teams will be counting the cost of
dodgy decisions and missed pots, but all eyes should now focus on what is to
come.
Half Moon Pub will probably begin as favorites when next
season starts on Friday March 3. And the usual suspects; Blue Sky Bar, The
Wall and The Local will be expected to make a serious challenge.
All eyes will be on whether Chiangers and Bangers and
Friend’s Corner can maintain their good form, and Rock Hard Bistro, La
Villa and Number 1 Pub live up to their high potential.
Blue Sky Garden is frequently capable of causing an upset and Out Back,
Enjoy Place, December Bar and Happy Bar will all be seeking a better season.
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