Courtesy of Education for Nature-Vietnam (ENV)
HANOI – Education for Nature-Vietnam (ENV) is joining forces with Red River Runners to promote the 9th Annual Song Hong Half Marathon this Sunday (December 13). The event is themed the “Run for Rhinos” and its proceeds will go towards rhino protection efforts in Vietnam.
“Run for Rhinos” will help bring attention to the crisis rhinos are facing as a result of poaching for their horns, which are used in traditional medicine and as status symbols.
The event includes 5 km, 10 km, and 21 km (half marathon) races and will take place at the Ciputra Club along the beautiful West Lake in Hanoi. In addition to the participation of running teams from embassies in Hanoi, NGOs, and ENV’s corporate partners, the race is also expected to attract hundreds of individual runners from Vietnam and abroad – all running for the cause of rhino protection.
Demand for rhino horn led to the killing of Vietnam’s last wild rhino in 2010 and has driven the slaughter of thousands of rhinos in South Africa in recent years. According to the South African Department of Environmental Affairs, 749 rhinos in South Africa have been killed this year as of August. 2015 is turning out to be another tragic year for rhinos.
“Every step of every runner at the “Run for Rhinos” half marathon symbolizes Vietnam’s commitment to rhino protection,” said Nguyen Phuong Dung, ENV’s Vice Director. “The race is the perfect opportunity for Vietnam to show the world that we as a nation are dedicated to ending the illegal trade and consumption of rhino horn.”
After the success of the 2014 Race for Vietnam’s Wildlife which attracted more than 400 runners, this year ENV and Red River Runners hope to attract even more participants to “Run for Rhinos”. On race day, participants will get the chance to raise awareness about rhino protection in Vietnam while running alongside representatives from the U.S Embassy, Dutch Embassy, and ENV’s corporate partners including Sofitel Plaza Hanoi.
- Individuals that wish to participate in the 2015 “Run for Rhinos” Song Hong Half Marathon can register online at: https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=56147.
- If your company, school, or institution would like to run as a team, please fill out the team registration form and bring it to the Spacebar, No 15, Lane 76, To Ngoc Van street, Tay Ho.
- More details about the 2015 “Run for Rhinos” Song Hong Half Marathon can be found at: http://redriverrunners.com
- Learn more about ENV’s Rhino Campaign:
http://envietnam.org/index.php/what-we-do/env-species-focused-campaigns/bring-an-end-to-the-killing-of-rhinos
For more information, please contact:
Vu Kieu Loan
Communications Manager
Education for Nature – Vietnam (ENV)
Address: Block 17T5, Room 1701, Hoang Dao Thuy str., Hanoi
Tel: 04 6281 5424 Mobile: 0982231190
Email: loanvu.env [at] gmail.com
About the Song Hong Half Marathon and Hanoi Red River Runners
The Song Hong Half Marathon is a non-profit event organized by the Hanoi Red River Runners, a volunteer-led running club. The Red River Runners meet every Saturday afternoon to run through the fields and suburbs skirting the Red River in Hanoi and every Wednesday night for speed training along West Lake. On occasion, they also meet to host time trial events.
About Education for Nature – Vietnam (ENV)
Education for Nature – Vietnam (ENV) was established in 2000 as Vietnam’s first non-governmental organization focused on the conservation of nature and protection of the environment. Our mission is to foster greater understanding amongst the Vietnamese public about the need to protect nature and wildlife. We employ creative and innovative strategies to influence public attitudes and mobilize Vietnamese citizens to live in balance with the natural world. We work closely with government partners to strengthen policy and legislation and directly support enforcement efforts in the protection of endangered species of national, regional and global significance.
Website: www.envietnam.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EducationforNatureVietnam
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