Feature: Laos'dusk and dawn runners warm up for half marathon return

Sunrise and sunset are magical times to be alive, and there are few better ways to feel more so than to get up, cast aside your concerns and just run.

That is certainly the case in the Southeast Asian nation of Laos, where the passion for a jolly bit of high-tempo perambulation at dusk and dawn appears to attract both the young and not-so-young alike, which is a welcome sign as the country prepares for the return of competitive distance running in the form of Sunday's Vientiane Half Marathon.

Be it by the capital city's Mekong riverside, around the distinctive victory arch Patouxay on Lane Xang (Million Elephant) Avenue or along the esplanade in front of the revered golden-hued stupa That Luang, local and foreign residents of all ages can be seen on their feet daily -- their movements casting elongated shadows amidst scenes illuminated by the softer rays synonymous with the cooler hours of day.

As in an increasing number of cities and towns across the region and globe, those venturing to these popular sites can witness athletes of various levels of seriousness, including those in it just for the fun and social environment, stepping out together in the comparative cool be it as the sun rises or sets.

The latent interest in "legging it in Laos" was also reflected recently in the keenness of the kids here during a recent visit by the Sydney 2000 Olympic Marathon gold medalist and Tokyo 2020 Athletes' Commission Chair Naoko Takahashi to the country on behalf of Japan's development assistance agency JICA.

Golden girl turned Tokyo-based TBS television reporter Takahashi offered an early morning training class for more than 50 youngsters in the capital's central Chao Anouvong Stadium, with lessons for girls and boys in the fine art of running and a positive message of the physical and mental merits for a generation more likely to run smart phone apps than oval laps.

Across the generations, burgeoning numbers of keen runners of all ages are a welcome sign for the return of international competition to the capital's streets this Sunday, as visitors flock in from neighboring countries such as China, Thailand and Vietnam and further afield for the race.

The advantage will certainly be with the so-called "morning people" as the Vientiane International Half Marathon, which will see runners following a route connecting the city's popular and historic landmarks with its riverside and more in between, will kick off in the early light of day.

The race, boasting new organizers and sponsors, and the first of its kind to touch down in Laos in several years, is hoping to tap into a growing interest at home and abroad for the endurance sport once described by Olympian, magazine Runner's World columnist and distance running guru, Jeff Galloway, as "a competition between your will and your possibilities."

And while the tropical country of some six-and-a-half million that prides itself on its relaxed attitude has as yet provided precious few of its own to light up the leader boards at the business end of international running meets, there are plenty of folk looking to tap into the growing local enthusiasm and pick up the pace.

One competitor already clocking up the wins for the Lao running community is 20-year-old Lodkeo Inthakoumman who hails from the country's naturally and culturally-rich southern province of Champasak and was the winner of last month's Udon Thani Marathon Women's 21km Half Marathon in neighboring Thailand.

Known as Laos' coffee-producing heartland thanks to its ultra-fertile Bolaven Plateau as well as the UNESCO World Heritage Listed pre-Angkorian wonders of Wat Phou, Champasak's rural environment provided the ideal early training ground for the lithe distance runner--also a bronze medallist in the 2013 South East Asian Games Women's 10km competition.

Her love of the sport was born amidst such surroundings; running village paths between rice fields and bamboo groves, past distinctive temples and the snaking watercourses of her rural homelands where the pace of life remains decidedly agricultural.

Reflecting both nature and nurture, the third year college student now juggles her training and competition work with courses in forestry management and ecotourism at the capital's National University of Laos, where her fleet feet and dedication to both sports and studies attracted a highly-prized scholarship.

This opportunity has borne fruit with the rural runner gathering a growing basket of medals from competitions including the ASEAN University Games abroad and marking recent wins in Thailand in the 2015's Khon Kaen Marathon's 10km and last month's Udon Thani 21km division, against competition from as far afield as running powerhouse Kenya.

This run of successes she hopes to repeat on Sunday morning in Vientiane when she steps out again in the 21 km competition with the aim to have fun, run hard, with eyes setting on a finishing time of one hour and 20 minutes with the hope it will be enough to set her feet firmly on the victory podium.

And while the streets of the capital are a far cry from her rural hometown, the young runner is also keen to see as many Vientiane residents and visitors, locals and out-of-towners alike joining her on the streets to share the challenge and make it fun to run in Laos.

"Laos is peaceful, hospitable, rich in nature," Lodkeo said. "It is a very interesting course and good chance to run around the city and admire the tourist attractions along the route."

"Even though this is the first time for this race under the current organization, it promises to be a great one so I would really like to encourage all considering to join us and run. You have nothing to lose." Enditem