Where did the idea for the LPHM come from?
It really was a question of “why isn't there one already?” Bere Olmedo, who works in the Amantaka in Luang Prabang, and I both ran the Angkor Wat Half Marathon in 2011. When we bumped into each other in Luang Prabang last year, the question just naturally came up, but instead of thinking that someone else would do it eventually, we just thought we should give it a go ourselves. It’s also such a beautiful place it would be great to visit with a group of friends. One of the best ways to get everyone in one place at the same time is to do an event—and a destination race is great for that.

Why make it a charitable event; and how did you choose this charity?
It had to be a charitable event, right from the very beginning. While the town Luang Prabang itself isn't “poor”, it isn’t rich either, and the area around it has some of the lowest GDP in Asia. It felt wrong that we could even consider coming to such a beautiful place, enjoy the hospitality of the town, and leave very little behind us. It’s something really tangible that runners can see every time they go back.

Personally, one of the motivations was to see if we could create a new business model for destination races. If you add up the amount of money that gets spent on the tourism around a destination race, it can be huge, but often only a fraction of that stays in town. The amount that reaches the people who need it can be even smaller—we’re talking about a lot less than 1% of total runner-spend. Maybe 0.1 or 0.2%. I think that's wrong, so I wanted to see if I could do something to change it.

So far it seems to be going well, and although we might have a lot more runners by now if we'd used a different model, I think we'd have raised a lot less money. We chose to partner with NGO Friends International after a lot of searching. We like that they set up sustainable enterprises that don't require constant funding and that they provide vocational training, which is one of the most effective ways of helping people at the bottom of the pile. The idea of a training restaurant matches Luang Prabang perfectly, as there is already demand there for trained staff. Friends was voted one of the top 100 NGOs in the world earlier this year too—which helps confirm that it's not just us that thinks they do a great job.

What is it about LP that, in your opinion makes it so special?
Where can I begin? Maybe it’s the alms procession every morning. Hundreds of Buddhist monks and novices walk all the way around town in a long orange line to receive their day's food from the local people. It can be a bit of a tourist scrum in places, but away from those, down the back streets, the procession continues and is a genuinely touching and dignified tradition. It's another reason our run had to focus on charity, because the town itself is so focussed on charity at the start of every day. But then there are the 800-year-old temples, the cafes, the architecture, the Mekong, the perfect view around every corner, the unspoilt nature of everything around you, the stillness, the quiet, the charm...The best perk of my “job” organising the race is that I have to go back there a lot!

Anything in particular runners should know about the course and conditions in advance?
The course goes around the UNESCO World Heritage site, passes countless ancient temples, will probably pass the monk procession at some point, and hugs either the Nam Khan River or the Mekong for half of the 7km loop—so it will be beautiful. I think it may well be one of the most beautiful race loops you’ll find anywhere in the world. I know that's a big claim, but LP is that special a town.

The Luang Prabang Half Marathon (LPHM) is on October 5.

Aquamarine
Their lunch ($58) and dinner buffets ($68) include a delectable selection of international and Asian dishes. Find recipes like poached whole Atlantic salmon with onion marmalade, and to sweeten the deal, take home a complimentary cake of the day (500g) with a minimum of four diners (if you notify them three days in advance).

Bistecca
Why not bring the whole family down for a wagyu feast at this Tuscan steakhouse? Expect a four-course set menu ($78 per person, minimum four persons) of the restaurant’s most popular dishes. It begins with a specialty of master butcher Dario Cecchini’s, ramerino in culo (minced beef garnished with rosemary), which is followed by pappardelle with wagyu beef ragout and the star of the meal, a char grilled t-bone steak. End the meal on a sweet note with homemade lemon gelato.

Carousel
There is something for every taste at this Father’s Day buffet ($58 for lunch, $68 for dinner) with seven open concept kitchens and three dessert counters.

Edge
Enjoy a lazy Sunday Brunch for $128 (with free-flow G.H.Mumm Champagne, Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and draft beer) or $68 (with free-flow non-alcoholic beverages) with your dad on June 16. This buffet will feature live cooking stations with a decadent selection of items like foie gras, oysters, Alaskan king crab and Japanese scallops.

Hai Tien Lo
Dig into fine Cantonese cuisine with a view. From June 10-16, this sky high restaurant will offer a Father’s Day set menu (from $108), which includes double-boiled abalone with mushrooms and Chinese cabbage. Alternatively, try the ala carte yum cha buffet lunch ($128 with free-flow G.H.Mumm Champagne, Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and draft beer, $68 with free-flow non-alcoholic beverages) from June 15-16.

Keyaki
Indulge in Japanese fine dining with the Father’s Day set menu (from $150) on June 16, with highlights like deep fried scallop with fresh sea urchin, and grilled wagyu beef with foie gras. They also offer a comprehensive eight-course weekend set brunch available at $60 or $120 (with free-flow of G.H.Mumm Champagne, Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, beer and sake) on June 15-16. It includes sashimi, cod fish with teriyaki sauce and teppanyaki.

Morton’s of Chicago
The world-renowned steakhouse is offering a special three-course Father’s Day set menu ($125), with choices such as Cajun ribeye steak, broiled salmon fillet with beurre blanc sauce and Chicken Christopher. For dessert, dig into sweet treats like carrot cake or hot chocolate cake.

Peach Blossoms
Treat your father to Cantonese specialties such as barbecued peking duck and baked honey-glazed silver cod as part of seven-course ($88 per person, minimum two persons) or eight-course ($388 per table of four) set menus.

Violet Oon's Kitchen
Their Man-sized Buffet Brunch ($55) will feed your dad well. Feast on roast beef, crab cakes, pulled beef rigatoni, shepherd's pie as well as Nonya dishes such as fish tempra and classic ayam buah keluak. Desserts include marbled cheese cake and sticky date pudding.

Ananda Bhavan
This one-stop app lets you place an order for both home delivery and catering, send enquiries and provide feedback.

Lawry's Singapore
View their menu and redeem promotions before making a reservation and checking in on Facebook and Foursquare, all within the app.

Prata Wala
The app gives you a lowdown on the menu and promotions, as well as pinpoint store locations.

Spizza
A fuss-free app to order pizzas, make reservations at their outlets and locate their outlets using Google Maps.

The Soup Spoon
Check their full menu, store locations and opening hours in this comprehensive app which allows users to check their Souperholic transactions and updated points.

Sakae Sushi
See what are the crowd favourites as well as ongoing promotions in their respective outlets.