Runners participating in Marathon Luang Prabang 2023. – Photo Courtesy of Marathon Luang Prabang organiser

HCM CITY – The highly anticipated Luang Prabang Half Marathon 2024: Run for Children will be held in the picturesque city of Luang Prabang, Laos on October 26. 

Enthusiastic runners from around the globe, including those from Việt Nam, are expected to join the event.

This year marks the 10th edition of the half marathon, organised with the noble purpose of supporting disadvantaged local children.

Offering routes of 7km, 14km, and 21km, the marathon holds the promise of providing a rewarding experience for both seasoned athletes and novices alike.

Participants can look forward to soaking in the UNESCO World Heritage city's charms amidst a tranquil ambiance with pleasant weather following the rainy season. They will traverse the charming streets of Luang Prabang, observe traditional morning almsgiving rituals, and enjoy a scenic run along the Mekong River.

Finishers will be honoured with a medal upon showing their bib to the organisers and will also receive an electronic participation certificate. The top three finishers in each distance category and gender will be presented with trophies.

Proceeds from the marathon will be directed to supporting the Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC). LFHC stands as the sole cost-free hospital in Northern Laos, providing essential medical care to approximately 40,000 children annually. Notably, LFHC houses the sole Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in northern Laos and plays a pivotal role in medical education and pediatric training across the nation's healthcare facilities.

In the previous year, Marathon Luang Prabang welcomed nearly 3,000 participants from 33 countries, with 24 participants from Việt Nam. The 2023 marathon successfully raised over $40,000. 

This year, the event has seen close to 100 registrants from Việt Nam eager to partake in the half marathon.

For further details on the half marathon, which is organised by Friends Without A Border, interested runners can visit https://luangprabangmarathon.com. Registration is available at https://luangprabangmarathon.com/registration/. -- VNS