Over 800 runners to join Hanoi half marathon race calling for tiger protection in Vietnam

A half marathon race aimed at promoting public awareness on tiger protection in Vietnam will be held at the Ciputra urban area, in Hanoi's Bac Tu Liem district, on December 12.

The poster of the Hanoi half marathon Run for Tigers to be held next month. (Photo courtesy of ENV)
The poster of the Hanoi half marathon Run for Tigers to be held next month. (Photo courtesy of ENV)

Jointly held by the Red River Runners club, the Sporting Republic company and the local NGO Education for Nature - Vietnam (ENV), the race targets encouraging the community to commit to not using products made from tiger, thus helping to put an end to the hunting, captivity, farming and trade of tigers in Vietnam.

Following the success of the 2017 Hanoi half marathon Run for Bears, the 12th edition this year is expected to attract the participation of over 800 runners from 43 countries and territories worldwide.

The race features various distance of 5km, 10km, 21km, a 3km family fun run and a 1km run for children.

In addition to individual runners, the event will bring together participants from representative office of foreign embassies in Hanoi, NGOs, business partners and celebrities.

Runners can register online at www.hanoihalfmarathon.com/register/ before November 22, or enroll directly at Clickspace, No. 15, Lane 76, To Ngoc Van Street, in Hanoi’s Tay Ho district, or at APS, 2nd floor, Ciputra urban area, Xuan Dinh, Bac Tu Liem district.

The proceeds from the run will be used to support tiger conservation activities in Vietnam.

The biggest threat to tigers in Vietnam is illegal hunting and trading. Tigers are largely trafficked for bones to produce traditional medicines. In addition, cubs or several other body parts of tigers are often used to soak in wine in a belief of making traditional medicines, even considered as highly valuable decorative ornaments. According to statistics, it is estimated that there are only roughly five wild tigers in Vietnam.