Runner Spans Length of Thailand

Stories en-route

Feb 1999 - by Ian Cruickshank

COLVIN CLOSE TO MALAYSIA

Butch Colvin is well on the way to achieving the historic goal of running the length of Thailand.

By February 1st the 46 year old US Navy reserve officer had reached Phattalung, having completed 1729 kilometres, over four-fifths of the total distance to Malaysia.

He had a surprise at his previous stopover in Surat Thani province when he came almost face to face with a gunman at his hotel entrance. The armed thug had just shot a man in a dispute over a compensation claim. Colvin and his support team dived for cover, then administered life saving first aid to the victim, who had severe stomach and shoulder wounds.
After identifying the accused in court, Colvin calmly resumed his run,commenting:"I know I'm from cowboy country, but this was sure like 'Gunfight at the OK Corral', Thailand style. But nothing will distract me from completing this run."

Colvin's run is called " Challenge Thailand - The Run for the Children", and is aimed at highlighting the worldwide problem of child prostitution, a subject which deeply concerns him.
It was seventeen months ago in Saudi Arabia, while employed as a consultant to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, that Colvin began preparations for the run. Colvin, who comes from Kansas in Oklahoma where his mother still lives, is accompanied by a small support team of Thais and British. Despite encountering tropical rainstorms his running average has increased to almost 30kms daily. "I've never felt fitter", he declares, "I now have under 400 kms to do, which seems nothing!"

The run began on November 22nd at Mae Sai on the Thai northern border with Burma, and is expected to end on February 18 th at Betong on the Malaysian border.

From: Ian Cruickshank Tel: +6653 818773 Ext 1806

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