3,000 athletes participated in the Quang Tri Marathon – Journey to the Land of Fire.

This evening, June 15th, in Quang Tri town, the People's Committee of Quang Tri province and the Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper solemnly organized the Appreciation Night and the Opening Ceremony of the Quang Tri Marathon 2024 - Journey to the Land of Fire. Attending the event were Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Hoang Nam; Deputy Director of the Department of Physical Education and Sports Nguyen Hong Minh; and Editor-in-Chief of the Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper Nguyen Ngoc Thach.

Delegates attending the Appreciation Night and Opening Ceremony of the Quang Tri Marathon 2024 - Journey to the Land of Fire - Photo: MD

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Hoang Nam emphasized: The Quang Tri Marathon 2024 is of special importance as it leads to the first-ever Peace Festival to be held in Quang Tri.

This is an important activity aimed at laying the groundwork for the establishment of an annual professional marathon in Quang Tri, providing an opportunity to promote the image of Quang Tri to the running community in particular and tourists in general, and contributing to the development of tourism as a key economic sector of the province.

In particular, with the theme: "Journey to the Land of Fire," aiming to honor the value of peace, commemorate and express gratitude to the heroic martyrs who bravely sacrificed themselves for the survival of the Fatherland, this race will focus on organizing activities to pay tribute to the heroic martyrs, and giving gifts to families of policy beneficiaries and those who have contributed to the revolution.

This is an activity aimed at creating new sports tourism products in line with the local development orientation, contributing to stimulating tourism demand, promoting the image of people, scenic spots, and regional specialties, attracting domestic and foreign tourists to visit, and developing tourism products that evoke nostalgia for former battlefields and cultural and spiritual tourism.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Hoang Nam speaks at the Appreciation Night and Opening Ceremony of the Quang Tri Marathon 2024 - Journey to the Land of Fire - Photo: MD

Nguyen Ngoc Thach, Editor-in-Chief of Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper, speaks at the Appreciation Night and Opening Ceremony of the Quang Tri Marathon 2024 - Journey to the Land of Fire - Photo: MD

On behalf of the provincial leadership, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Hoang Nam respectfully thanked the Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper for choosing Quang Tri and co-organizing this Marathon with the province; thanked the Vietnam Investment and Development Bank, and other agencies and organizations for their support and companionship with Quang Tri province's festival and the Quang Tri Marathon 2024; and thanked the media agencies, reporters, and collaborators for their active participation and support in the media coverage of the event over the past period.

The money raised from the race was donated to the Gratitude and Remembrance Fund of Quang Tri province - Photo: MD

Presenting gifts to families who have rendered meritorious services to the revolution - Photo: MD

Presenting symbolic plaques representing 100 bicycles to disadvantaged students in Trieu Phong and Vinh Linh districts - Photo: MD

Presenting symbolic plaques representing 15 water purifiers to schools in Dakrong and Huong Hoa districts - Photo: MD

According to Nguyen Ngoc Thach, Editor-in-Chief of Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper, the Quang Tri Marathon 2024 is not simply a race, but also a tribute to the land that endured countless hardships and sacrifices of the Vietnamese people during the war; it represents the footsteps and heartbeats of connection and peace.

For the world, Quang Tri serves as a reminder of the human cost of war. Quang Tri has been building a destination of peace, creating a symbol of peace through its Peace Festival. Therefore, the Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee and the Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper have determined that every step taken by athletes at the Quang Tri Marathon 2024 – Journey to the Land of Fire – carries the heartbeat of love and sharing. Consequently, the Organizing Committee has decided that all ticket sales revenue will be donated to the Quang Tri Provincial Gratitude Fund to support and care for the lives of families of wounded soldiers, martyrs, and those who have contributed to the revolution.

The organizing committee of the tournament laid wreaths at the memorial for the fallen heroes - Photo: MD

Athletes and locals release lanterns on the Thach Han River - Photo: MD

A cultural performance during the Appreciation Night and Opening Ceremony of the Quang Tri Marathon 2024 - Journey to the Land of Fire - Photo: MD

At the ceremony, provincial leaders, the organizing committee, athletes, and local people offered incense and released lanterns on the Thach Han River to express their gratitude and remembrance of the heroic martyrs. On this occasion, the organizing committee donated over 311 million VND from ticket sales revenue to the Quang Tri Provincial Gratitude Fund; and presented 10 gifts to families who contributed to the revolution.

Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper and the Charitable Foundation donated 100 bicycles to disadvantaged students in Trieu Phong and Vinh Linh districts. Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper and Tan A Dai Thanh Group donated 15 water purifiers to schools in Dakrong and Huong Hoa districts.

Tomorrow, June 16th, approximately 3,000 athletes from provinces, cities, and sectors nationwide, including professional athletes such as Nguyen Thi Oanh and Nguyen Trung Cuong (Vietnam National Athletics Team), and six international athletes from Japan, Australia, and India, will officially compete in three distances of the Quang Tri Marathon 2024 - Journey to the Land of Fire: 21km, 10km, and 5km. The 21km distance has a unique route starting from Dong Ha City and finishing at Quang Tri Ancient Citadel; the other two distances take place around Quang Tri Ancient Citadel.

Minh Duc

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/3-000-vdv-tham-gia-giai-chay-quang-tri-marathon--hanh-trinh-ve-dat-lua-186231.htm