Danish Ambassador to Vietnam John Nielsen has joined an international marathon in the mountainous town of Sapa which takes place from September 20 to 21 as part of a charitable programme.
Danish Ambassador to Vietnam John Nielsen
The event, named Vietnam Mountain Marathon 2014, has attracted the participation of 500 runners from 40 countries.
The runners started early this morning (September 20). Participants can choose between four distances 10, 21, 42 or 70km. The first place winner will receive a USD200 award.
John Nielsen, who has chosen 21km route, said that the Mountain Marathon has one of the most beautiful settings for a race in the world.
The starting ceremony
According to Voice of Vietnam, with the support of Novo Nordisk, a leading pharmaceuticals company, and the Vietnamese Association of Diabetes and Endocrinology (VADE), the event also conveys a message of diabetes awareness, and draws attention to the growing problem in Vietnam.
Ambassador Nielsen said that he hoped by helping to organise and even joining the Vietnam Mountain Marathon, the Danish Embassy in Vietnam can highlight the importance of improving access to medical care for people with diabetes in Vietnam.
Music performance of local children
Each runner will donate USD20 as part of their race entry fee to the local charity organization “Sapa O’Chau” which provides education opportunities to young local minority groups in the mountainous region. Runners will also bring clothes and school books to be handed out in Sapa.
