Phuket, March 25, 2010 – Accor Race to Survive Phuket 2010 participants got a lesson in rural Thai lifestyle after the race programme Wednesday night. It started with a fresh seafood dinner caught by local Koh Lon fisherman where the menu featured whole fish, Tom Yam Soup and over 200 fresh crabs to name just a few of the dishes.

After the massive and much appreciated feed, Sonya Rossiter present the three days of the race through a stunning picture presentation which bought back memories of the pain and laughter of the past 4four days.

Then, Mission Possible team member Sanya Dambua treated racers to a spectacular fire dancing and twirling show, that had fellow racers clapping and howling in delight. If he ever quits his day job he has a great future in Full Moon Party resort entertainment on Koh Samui or Koh Pang Ngan.

Ace cameraman Paul Roubicek handed off his combat ready night vision HD camera to dynamic RewardsCorp Racer Rebecca Freestun, who normally works as a PR executive in the Sydney Corporate Office. Those who know her well would not be surprised to learn she had no problem filling the one-hour tape with engaging interviews and racer profiles.

Next on the learning curve was sleeping on a tile floor Thai style. This is a refined art that is not for the faint at heart.

Some enterprising racers decided it would be cooler to sleep on the fishing pier rather than on the village school floor. Over 25 racers bedded down there and were lulled to sleep by the sound of waves lapping against the seashore.

Racers managed to sleep through till dawn for the first time this week, and woke up to the local breakfast of choice Khao Tum (rice porridge) and a shocker: water rationing. Each participant was given just 2 bottles of water to complete the morning jungle run and a demanding canoe against a strong head wind to Cape Panwa.

Our China Team – the Kung Fu Pandas gets a special mention again today, as two paddlers who shall remain anonymous (Long and Davy) finished the canoe half a kilometre behind the field. Investigations revealed they stopped in the middle of the deep water transit to rest and had a snooze only to be woken by course marshals.

The Rolling Coconuts dominated both segments coming in several minutes before the closest competitors. Team caption Clinton Lovell (GM Mercure Samui Buri Resort) said the team was moving fast because they were famished and wanted to get to Novotel Phuket Beach Resort Panwa. “I think we were inspired to get to lunch as quickly as possible. We were highly motivated and digging deep to help the kids and we are damn proud of our double win today to help Yim Kids at Race to Survive Phuket.”

Little did he and the team know that the final race segment, another 25-kilometre bike ride to Ibis Phuket Kata, would be the event’s toughest leg yet. Racers struggled over the hill in 36-degree heat but were rewarded on arrival with a warm welcome by 60 children who will receive the benefits of the fund raised through this major event. Before leaving, the children sang a thank you song, while some of the toughest racers held back their tears.

Everything Can Do racer Erwann Mahe, a veteran of Race to Survive Fiji 2008, predicted this would be remembered as the best Race to Survive yet.

Event Director Paul Stevens when asked for his thoughts on how the race had gone said “it has been amazing and a privilege to have 92 competitors from 13 countries, with different abilities and levels of fitness, under extreme temperatures and physical difficulties - come together to collectively contribute to the kids of Thailand. In doing so they have learnt a lot about themselves, explored new cultures and become part of a team for the common good of others.” Paul went on to say that the one question that he is being asked most this afternoon is “when is the next one?”.

When dialing in to Sonya to establish the latest fund raising total for the event, all that could be heard was the Thai version of Barry Manilow belting out ‘Coccacabana’ from the Thai duo entertaining the troop on their last night in Phuket. Sonya has been adding up the figures for much of the afternoon and the total funds raised by the event is USD$206,000. That is sure to go a very long way to helping the young and underprivileged of Thailand and not possible without the donations received from individuals and the events gold sponsors.

From the editor and all that have been monitoring the race from afar – congratulations to Paul and his team that have been working on this event for a very long time. Pulling a complex event of this magnitude off with no major injuries is no easy feat and not possible without the dedication, hard work and tireless commitment of the team. Well done to you all.

The nightly call into the Event Director was required to happen tonight before 20.30, at which time he relinquishes responsibility for the racers. Tonight they head in to Patong Phuket to celebrate the end of a very fulfilling 4 days on the island. Just remember team “I love you long time” sounds very different in the morning!

Whilst the Race to Survive Phuket 2010 comes to a close, the Yim Kids Foundation is really just beginning. The funds raised will now be used to improve the lives of the children of Thailand through a number of programs. It’s not too late to become a fan of Yim Kids on Facebook where regular updates on the impact that the money raised will be posted. Alternatively visit www.yimkids.com