By Elias Makori, Managing Editor

‘Amazing Thailand’ - Thailand’s tourism authority – has signed up Kenya’s two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge to position the nation as Asia’s premier destination for runners worldwide.

Kipchoge’s NN Running team said on Thursday that the move “aligns with Kipchoge’s global vision, to make this world a running world.”

In the partnership, Kipchoge and NN Running Team’s athletes and staff will explore Thailand to share best practices with local athletes, fostering a culture of sustainable marathon preparation and encouraging the Thai running community, a press release from the NN Running Team said on Thursday.

An NN Running Team singlet on display in a shop in Bangkok, Thailand. Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge has signed up to promote Thailand as a running destination 

“The team follows the development of the fast-growing Asian running market. The partnership fulfils an ambition of the team to connect with the global running audience,” the press statement said.

Kipchoge said there is tremendous potential for running in Asia and is expected to travel to Thailand late next month to launch his ambassadorial role, his itinerary including attending the 2024 Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok where he will feature in a 10-kilometre mass run “to support and encourage the 33,000 runners joining.”

“I have travelled frequently to Asia, and I share in the big ambitions to grow running as a sport, to make people more happy and more healthy,” Kipchoge said after his appointment.

“There is tremendous potential in the Asian running world, and I am happy to start working together with Amazing Thailand to promote running in the Asian region. I have always said that I want to make this world a running world, because a running world is a happy world, a running world is a healthy world, and a running world is a peaceful world. This partnership contributes to my personal ambitions.”

Marleen Vink-Rennings, Marketing Director of the NN Running Team, added: “We are thankful for the partnership with Amazing Thailand and Thailand Tri-League. It gives us the opportunity to promote and support running in Thailand. We run most of our races in North America and in Europe, but there is great potential in other regions in the world.

“Through this partnership we hope together with Amazing Thailand to support Thai runners, but also show the world the running potential of Thailand as a destination. We are looking forward to work together to explore the opportunities in the Asian region.”

Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sorawong Thienthong said the partnership will elevate Bangkok’s international appeal, with the Thailand’s tourism authority’s involvement in the organisation of the 2024 Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok a launchpad for promotion of the nation.

“Through this strategic partnership with Eliud Kipchoge and the NN Running Team, it is anticipated that Thailand's reputation will be elevated, attracting an unprecedented influx of international running enthusiasts to participate in the Amazing Thailand Marathon in Bangkok,” Thienthong said.

Amazing Thailand Marathon Race Director, Kobkiat Sangwanich, said he was grateful to Kipchoge and the NN Running Team for their decision to collaborate with Amazing Thailand.

“I convey our deep appreciation for your recognition of the importance of a nation like Thailand. The entire Thai population eagerly anticipates the opportunity to meet their esteemed heroes. We look forward to welcoming you all during the race week of the Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok 2024.”

Kipchoge has signed multiple sponsorship and marketing deals with corporates and state agencies keen on leveraging on the global appeal of the first man to run a sub two-hour marathon and who is regarded as the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) in distance running.

(Compiled with resources from the NN Running Team)