Runner Spans Length of ThailandNorthern Thailand
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Runner Spans Length of ThailandNorthern Thailand
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| Related Links | The purpose of his run is not only to achieve a
personal goal but a laudable attempt to raise awareness as to the plight of sexually
abused children world-wide. His previous experience includes fun-runs, fitness drives and marathons but the former US naval officer admits that he has not tackled an event of this magnitude before. |
| Hired as consultant in Saudi Arabia he spends his holidays in
Chiang Mai and has visited the town over 20 times since his first trip in 1984. "I love Thailand, it's my second home" he told us "the kindness of the people, climate food and the terrain make it such a wonderful place to stay." Another reason he is glad to visit is his girlfriend Toon, a native of the Northern Thai town, who will be helping co-ordinate the logistics and daily planning of the run! The idea for the run formulated a few years ago by sheer chance. A story by a Thai based reporter Steve Rosse caught his eye. It was about a second hand car salesman, also from the US, who came to Thailand to point out the flesh-pots of Asia. The salesman went even further locating the organisers of paedophile rings which he then exposed. This story struck a chord with Butch and he spent a long time deciding how best he could help. A natural athlete and keen House Hash Harrier participant he decided to combine his two passions of running and helping children. A run the entire length of Thailand, a distance of over 2,200 km, was chosen. His gruelling schedule is to be completed in under 60 days and starts at 05:30 am. This allows him an hour or so of twilight conditions before the searing heat of the day takes over. He plans to cover nearly 40 km by 11:00 am each day with rest days every two weeks. Meetings with officials, ordinary folk and, when possible, orphanages are to be the personal highlights of the trip. His military background is certainly very evident in trip planning which includes a 15 page dossier. His three-man team consist of himself, a driver and a co-ordinator. Contingency schemes include a range of unlikely scenarios including encounters with pirates! Such a level of logistical preparation can only ensure the run is a total success and will finish by mid-January as planned. Another first in Thailand will be internet exposure of this type of event by Thaifocus where his progress will be covered in a special day-by-day reports. Still looking for sponsorship he is fully prepared to fund the entire trip himself if necessary. Several US based concern groups and small business men have expressed an interest and look likely to help. It is not however, for financial support that he seeks further support and adds "I believe in this very much. Additional sponsorship is not so much to gain a financial contribution as to provide as much event-awareness and credibility as possible." This worthy cause presents an excellent opportunity for companies to show their support. Progress can be followed via the internet at http://www.thaifocus.com/news/ and the run starts on 22 November
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