A Thai dentist, aged 33, now holds the Guinness World Record for the “fastest marathon dressed in Thai traditional dress,” having participated in the London Marathon on Sunday, April 23.
Charinya “Miyu” Kanchanasevee wore an eye-catching gold and blue ensemble, complete with headdress, and successfully finished the 42.195-kilometer race in 3 hours, 45 minutes, and 34 seconds.
The women’s race victor was Sifan Hassan, an Ethiopian-born Dutch long-distance runner, who completed the race in 2:18:33.
Charinya illuminated London’s rain-drenched streets, wearing a traditional chadaa headdress, sbai silk shawl, chong kraben skirt, and ankle bracelet.
The attire was designed by Achrat Neramitsilp, a renowned Thai designer known for creating national costumes for beauty queens at international competitions.
Nevertheless, Charinya disclosed that an illness nearly ended her world-record attempt early in the race.
In a Facebook post, the runner shared a candid account of the abdominal distress she experienced during the race’s initial six kilometers.
She persevered in pain for another two kilometers before locating a restroom. Undaunted by the “medical emergency,” she rejoined the race and overcame the discomfort to reach the finish line.
Charinya stated that she wore the outfit in the marathon to highlight Thai silk, fashion, and culture, which are considered part of Thailand’s soft power. The London Marathon is broadcast live to audiences worldwide each year.
She also aspired to encourage tourists globally to visit Thailand through her participation in the race, ultimately enhancing the nation’s sports and wellness tourism.
The men’s marathon on Sunday was won by 23-year-old Kenyan runner Kelvin Kiptum, who completed the race in 2:01:25, the second-fastest time in history, following Eliud Kipchoge’s world record of 2:01:09.
