The 37th Hanoi Moi Newspaper Race for Peace was launched around the Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi on October 3.
More than 1,500 runners from districts, universities and colleges in Hanoi and other cities provinces across the country joined in the competition.
The race also attracted the participation of more than 300 foreigners from 30 international friendship organisations and embassies in Hanoi and nearly 700 pupils, office staff and military forces from 29 of the capital city’s district teams.
Speaking a message of peace at the opening ceremony, Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Municipal Party Committee and Chairwoman of Hanoi Municipal People’s Council Ngo Thi Doan Thanh stressed that this year’s race is especially meaningful as it takes place around the legendary and historical Hoan Kiem Lake to celebrate the city’s 1000th anniversary.
This reminds the Vietnamese people of the country’s glorious history, which continuously strives for peace and for comprehensive and sustainable development.
In the events for the professional athletes, Nguyen Dang Duc Bao from Khanh Hoa led the men’s 8.750km race and Nguyen Thi Phuong from Thanh Hoa won the women’s 5.250km.
In the race for pupils, Tuong Phi Bien from Phu Luong junior secondary school finished first in the men’s event and Phung Thi Thu from Son Tay was the fastest in the women’s.
Two athletes from the United Nations International School of Hanoi (UNIS) Luke Kenny and Hazel Akester gave excellent performances to top the race for foreigners in the men’s and women’s events.
The organising board also presented medals for outstanding amateur athletes from the working, production and military groups.