The event was hosted by the charity club, Red River Runners (RRR), in partnership with Sporting Republic Company and Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV). It was the fifth consecutive edition organised by the RRR to raise funds for wildlife protection in Vietnam.
More than 800 people participated in the event, showing strong support for efforts to bring an end to bear bile farming in the country and urging the public not to consume bear bile. Many runners came from the embassies of the US, UK, France, and the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam.
This year’s half marathon includes 3km, 5km, 10km, and 21km challenges, with an 800m kid sprint, said Jody O’Dea from the RRR. It aims to raise public awareness of the need to protect bears, reduce demand for bear-based products, and bring an end to the cruel and illegal bear bile industry, he added.
The 2017 marathon celebrates a year which has seen many achievements in the effort to end bear farming in the country, said EVN Deputy Director Nguyen Phuong Dung.
The Government of Vietnam reaffirmed its commitment to closing bear farms in the country while the second phase of the project to implant captive bears at farms in hot spots like Hanoi and Dong Nai with microchips has helped intensify monitoring efforts in these areas, she noted.
The run was the start for a ‘bear week’ taking place in Vietnam from December 10-16 to encourage the public to take part in bear protection activities.
