Jane: I was a footballer when studying in the US and decided to take training seriously in order to run faster on the pitch. I fell in love with running soon after as it helps me relax. After running many marathons, I contacted the Athletic Association of Thailand to join the national team last year. 

Fon: While playing basketball at junior high in Lamphun, I would be punished for indiscretions by being made to run laps around the basketball court! It was then I started to weigh up the pros and cons of solo versus team sports. When you play as a team, anything you do will impact your teammates. But with running, you alone must take responsibility. I joined the national team in 1995 but dropped out in 2011. I didn’t feel like I could make it, plus I needed to take care of my daughter.

Fon: I must thank our coach, ex-Kenyan runner Peter Titi Matu, who asked me to join the team again in 2014. I was surprised. I’m old. Why did they need me? He convinced me age is no obstacle for long-distance running. That lit my fire. I finally won my first, and Thailand’s first, SEA Games gold medal for marathon running last year.

Jane: The qualifying window was open from January 2015 to July 2016. I chose to run at the Houston Marathon in January this year, and Fon joined me, too. I ran a 2:42:19, while Fon ran a 2:44:45, which was enough to qualify [the women’s entry mark was 2:45:00]. 

Jane: It must be my personal best run at the Chicago Marathon in 2014, where I finished with a 2:40:40. I was so happy to run a time that was good enough to qualify for the Olympics, even if it wasn’t in the qualifying window. 

Fon: Mine was the Houston Marathon. I never thought I’d make it to the Olympics, but I did! 

Fon: The main obstacle is you need to find a way to make a living on your own, even if you’re a national athlete. Now I work at a municipal office in Lamphun as a clerk. 

Jane: Marathon runners don’t get much support from sponsors here. They don’t get why we need to ask for four pairs of running shoes. We run at least 2-3 hours a day which causes a lot of wear and tear on shoes. 

Jane: We’re normally based in Chiang Mai. We start training at 5am. The highlight here is we get to choose from beautiful routes like Huay Tueng Thao reservoir and Doi Suthep. The different terrains and trails help prevent injuries compared to running on stiff surfaces like concrete. Chiang Mai’s high altitude also helps build lung capacity. 

Fon: Running has shaped my life from a young age. I ran to get a better chance at education and employment, and it’s certainly helped. 

Jane: The critical point of running a marathon is around the 35-37km mark. Your body will feel as heavy as a rock. But it’s a lesson for life: pass it and you will only be stronger. Running has taught me to set goals and achieve them at all costs.