HANOI — More than a thousand athletes will take part in the final of the 49th Run for Peace 2024 on September 29 in the capital city.
They will race in 12 different categories for professionals and amateurs. Organizers will present prizes of up to VNĐ70 million (US$2,900) to the top five in each individual category and the top three of the team class.
Runners will include students and soldiers, who won their places via qualification rounds, and about 200 foreigners who are living and working in Hanoi.
The race, held around the Hoan Kiem Lake, is also open for elite competitors of Hanoi and other cities and provinces. SEA Games champion Nguyen Thi Oanh of Bac Giang Province, who just set a new national marathon record on September 22, confirmed her participation.
Other pro runners include defending champion Tran Van Dang of Hanoi, SEA Games 3,000 steeplechase winner Nguyen Trung Cuong of Ha Tinh and veteran Trinh Quoc Luong of the Military Team.
Speaking at a press conference on September 23, it was said that the annual run was a sporting event with great socio-political significance.
It is one of Hanoi’s key sporting activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Capital’s Liberation Day (October 10, 1954-2024) and for the 25th anniversary of Hanoi being recognized as a City for Peace by UNESCO.
Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake, meaning “Lake of the Returned Sword,” is a scenic freshwater lake in the historical center of Hanoi, Vietnam. Its name originates from a 15th-century legend in which the Emperor Le Loi was given a magical sword by a divine turtle to defeat invaders, which he later returned to the turtle in this same lake. Today, the lake is a beloved public space, famous for its Turtle Tower and the iconic red Huc Bridge leading to Ngoc Son Temple.
Capital’s Liberation Day
“Capital’s Liberation Day” is not a specific place or cultural site, but rather a commemorative event marking the date a nation’s capital city was freed from occupation or control. For example, it could refer to the liberation of a city like Belgrade or Paris during a historical conflict. The day is typically celebrated with official ceremonies and public events to honor the history and those who fought for freedom.
City for Peace
The “City for Peace” is not a specific, universally recognized location but a symbolic title often given to cities that have endured and recovered from significant conflict. For instance, Hiroshima, Japan, which was destroyed by an atomic bomb in 1945, is a prominent City for Peace, now dedicated to promoting nuclear disarmament and world peace through memorials and international advocacy.
UNESCO
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the UN, founded in 1945 to promote peace and security through international cooperation in education, science, and culture. It is best known for its World Heritage program, which identifies, protects, and preserves cultural and natural heritage sites around the globe considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.
