Kenya's Rop was in great form from the start and finished the full marathon in two hours, 33 minutes, leaving countryman Lucian Disdery Hombo in second place seven seconds behind, followed by compatriot George Morara Inchero, who crossed the line in two hours, 34 minutes.

The top three in the overall competition received Bt150,000, Bt100,000 and Bt50,000 respectively. This year's Thailand Temple Run winner Boonchu Chandecha finished fourth in two hours, 35 minutes. "They set the pace over the last 15 kilometres and I couldn't keep up with them," said Boonchu, the current SEA Games marathon champion.

Apart from winning part of the overall category, Boonchu was also the first Thai runner across the line. He collected prize money of Bt30,000 from the overall event plus Bt50,000 for being the first Thai and also Bt8,000 in the age group category.

In the half marathon another national team runner, Boonthung Srisang, came first, crossing the line in one hour, 11 minutes.

The runner-up was Boonyu Kawiratanakhajorn, who finished in a time of one hour, 12 minutes, while third place went to Sutas Kanlayanakitti in one hour, 13 minutes.

Boonthung took home Bt30,000 plus Bt6,000 more from the age group category.

Meanwhile, Sunisa salvaged some Thai pride by winning the women's overall crown with a time of three hours, 10 minutes and also clinched the national women's category.

Russian Perepelking Taitana came second in a time of three hours, 11 minutes and another Thai, Patcharee Chaithongsri, finished in three hours, 13 minutes to win third spot.

Sunisa was awarded Bt100,000 from the overall event, plus Bt50,000 for being the first Thai and another Bt8,000 from the age group category.

The half marathon title went to Saiphon Bia-wong, who crossed the line in one hour, 25 minutes. Rattanapan Ritthilert clocked a time of one hour, 26 minutes to capture second position and Jutamas Wariwan finished two minutes behind to claim third place.

Somporn Suphop

The Nation

Pattaya