Bangkok--23 Mar--Weber Shandwick
adidas, a global leader in running, today announced plans to launch its very own running championship across Southeast Asia this year, titled the adidas ‘King of the Road’ (KOTR). Held in five countries across the region, and organised in city areas, the adidas KOTR race will culminate in an ultimate championship race that will be held in a different host country each year.
The race will make its regional debut in Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines, and is aimed at bringing runners together from across the region as part of adidas’ commitment to the sport.
In Thailand, the event, is scheduled on May 15, 2011, is opens to participants across two categories - the ‘Closed’ category (Men / Women) is opens to local runners (Thai nationality) and the ‘Open’ category (Men / Women) for international participants. The winner of each country’s Closed categories (Men / Women) will qualify for an all-expenses paid trip to compete in the adidas KOTR Southeast Asia Championship held in a host country, the Philippines, in October 2011, in a bid to be crowned the adidas South East Asia ‘King of the Road 2011’. The same rules also apply across all participating countries.
Another differentiating factor of the adidas KOTR race is that each year will feature a different theme. The theme for the 2011 race will be titled ‘Colours’ and represented through the variety of different coloured adidas t-shirts racing participants will don. The multi-colours showcased are meant to
With a unique 16.8km route, the city race is targeted at everyone who likes to run - from the social runner, to the serious athlete. One of the objectives of the adidas KOTR is also to encourage runners to take part in all five adidas KOTR events across Southeast Asia, as the total distance completed will be the equivalent of two full marathons (84km). To encourage this cross-country participation, adidas will be offering participants in any of the adidas KOTR races across Southeast Asia a 10% discount on race fees to participate in another adidas KOTR race.
“As a global leader in running, adidas is geared towards helping runners all over the world perform better with the introduction of products, technology and platforms designed purely with a runner’s needs in mind. The organisation of running events such as the adidas King of the Road championship is meant for runners to challenge themselves and achieve personal breakthroughs,” said Mr. Vijay Chauhan, Country Manager, adidas (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
“We hope to contribute to the vibrant sports scene in Thailand and the region by cultivating sporting habits and an active lifestyle and hope that the adidas KOTR will offer runners the opportunity to run different routes across the region that will ultimately enhance their running experience” added Mr. Chauhan.
adidas aims to target a total of 5,000 participants in Thailand for the maiden race, with a total of 40,000 participants in total across the region.
The registration is now opens for the public across South East Asia at www.adidaskingoftheroad.com .
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