Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – On June 26th, coinciding with the 37th International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Bokeo Province in Laos will solemnly host the 4th International Anti-Drug Half Marathon. This unique event combines anti-drug publicity with the spirit of sports, conveying the positive message of "Supporting Anti-Drug Efforts to Make the World a Better Place" to the world. The organizers will also host a series of anti-drug themed activities, with the marathon as the core.
Bokeo Province, Laos, is located in the "Golden Triangle" region, infamous for its drug problems. Since the establishment of the Special Economic Zone, it has embraced a dual mission of anti-drug efforts and development, proposing an innovative "urban replacement" model, which has revitalized the province. Among the three countries of the "Golden Triangle," Laos has presented a completely different picture. The International Anti-Drug Marathon vividly reflects this transformation. Through sports competition, the event calls on the entire society to participate in anti-drug actions and jointly maintain a healthy and harmonious social environment.
This year's International Anti-Drug Marathon is expected to have 2,000 participants, with two categories: a half marathon and a 6.26km mini marathon. Registration is limited to runners from Asian countries and regions. To facilitate inquiries and registration for runners from different countries, the organizing committee has set up multilingual customer service hotlines in Lao, Thai, Burmese, Chinese, and English. A total of 11 countries have registered for the event, with Laos and Thailand having the most participants. China also has over 100 runners registered, including well-known athletes such as Yao Yuzhou, Bahetar Wulazi Ali, Zheng Wenrong, Yang Shuanghua, and Cheng Qianyu.
The total prize money for this year's event has also reached a record high of 1.653 billion Lao Kip, with the champion receiving 240 million Lao Kip. This initiative aims to encourage more elite runners to participate and demonstrates the organizers' commitment to expanding the event's influence, enhancing its competitiveness, and encouraging wider participation in anti-drug efforts.
Notably, after the race, the prize money will be distributed on-site using a money counting machine. This unique and immediate reward method increases the event's appeal and generates considerable buzz. The benefit for all participants is that registration is free. In the previous race, the top eight finishers were all from Africa, while Chinese runner Yang Dinghong came in ninth.
Overlooking the magnificent Mekong River and gazing at the lights of countless homes, this marathon is a blend of health, perseverance, and social responsibility, a journey to paint a blueprint for a drug-free life. The energetic and healthy running, the urgent need for development, and the rapidly changing special economic zone all highlight the event. The International Anti-Drug Marathon is not only a test of runners' perseverance and endurance but also a means to raise and popularize anti-drug awareness throughout society.
