Mini-marathon against drugs and lucky draw

Like last year, I participated in the mini-marathon on the international day against drugs on Sunday. I got up at 5.15 am thinking I could just waltz over to That Luang Square for the commencement of the race at 6 am. I thought that the start would be delayed but got a shock when I saw everyone lined up by 5.45 am. The organisation was absolutely chaotic (as usual) and t-shirts and number tags were flying off the back of the organiser's fan at the last minute. What a mess. I ended up with a shirt which looked suspiciously different from the rest of the participants.

I was all geared up to run 10 km and even put in special training for the whole of last week. I steadfastly stayed away from beer and other intoxicants while cleaning the system with fruits coupled with 48 hours of carbo loading prior to the event. Turned out to be a bit of a let-down because the organisers trimmed the route to just 7 km. So the run was pretty much a breeze. Unlike last year though, I didn't win a medal though. However, I get to run the whole of Lanxang Avenue while police blockaded the side roads making the run still an enjoyable one. I also managed to bring my Apple Ipod this time round and it was nice running to Goldfrapp "Ride on a white horse". Some of the Lao runners also ran barefooted which was just awesome. The rain drizzled which also helped to cool down the 42 deg weather which Laos had been suffering recently.

After the run, the Lao organisers commenced the lucky draw. This was the part when it got all freaky. They had 15 prizes to give out to lucky participants. Mind you, this year's lucky draw gifts were quite sad, only petanque balls. There were motorbikes as lucky draw prizes last year. For those who don't have a clue what is petanque, it is a game played widely by the French. Photos are from http://www.angkasa.ccop/




The Lao love to play petanque. I am not sure about the rules but it involves throwing a ball to hit your opponent's ball further away. Someone told me that the Lao side may introduce this game at the 2009 ASEAN SEA Games which Laos will be hosting. In which case, Laos will stand a good chance in winning a gold meal in this field - that is if it could overcome Malaysia and the Philippines which also have a fine tradition in playing this game.

Anyway, the prizes are petanque balls (image from www.poorandstupid.com).

It may not look like a big deal for you but the hundreds of Lao participants at the lucky draw were clutching their raffle tickets as if they were airtickets to the US to meet busty Carmen Electra. I am not sure what was the big deal about the petanque balls but the crowd was basically hopping on their feet whenever a number was called. There was this group of aunties which were yelling at the organisers everytime a number was called.

Organisers : And the lucky number is . . . . . 2791!

Aunties : Noooo!!!!! I got 2792. Can or not?

Organisers : Errr . . . No. Sorry.

Aunties: Please?!! Only one number difference?

Organisers : What's this? A fish market? Does it look like we can bargain here? (okay, I make the line up).

Seriously, the whole crowd was so hot about the lucky draw that the entire drawing process took even longer than the race itself. People running forward to claim their prizes only to discover that they had heard the wrong number (duh), crowd waiting for an eternity for the lucky runner to show up and collect their prize only to find out that he had long left the parade square or never showed up in the first place . . . etc. By the time the whole she-bang was over, my hunger had long since dulled and went home to continue my nice long sleep.