THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: The Banyan Tree has long been regarded as one of Bangkok’s finer hotels with its award-winning Vertigo Grill restaurant and Moon Bar on the converted 61st floor helipad providing spectacular views over the city.

While most people prefer to take the elevator to the top of the landmark building, on September 20 a group of intrepid athletes will get there using much more conventional means.

For the 11th year in a row the hotel will host the Vertical Marathon where local and international athletes compete in a grueling race to cover the 1,093 stairs to the rooftop in the shortest period of time.

The annual event is part of the hotel’s corporate responsibility program, with proceeds raised from the event being donated to the HIV Formula Feeding Fund for the ninth successive year.

The fund is an initiative of the Thai Red Cross under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali and provides babies of HIV-positive mothers with a special milk formula.

In 2008 the event was won for the seventh year in a row by Thai athlete Boonchoo Jandacha in six minutes and 19 seconds, with Bt700,000 (about $US24,500) being raised for charity.

Bernold Schroeder, senior vice president and managing director of Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are pleased to have contributed over Bt3million (about $US88,000) to date for the HIV Formula Feeding Fund.

Those wishing to compete can register online until September 18 at http://banyantree.com, or between 6am and 7am at the main entrance of the hotel on race day.

Registration costs Bt350 (about $US10.30) and includes an official Vertical Marathon t-shirt and a meal box.

The winners will receive a trophy from Princess Soamsawali, as well as complimentary accommodation and gift certificates from the Banyan Tree.

By John Le Fevre

Thailand Travel News for August 31, 2009