(VNF) - The 2017 Olympic Day Run for public health was officially launched by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Hanoi authorities at King Ly Thai To flower garden in the capital city on March 26^th, drawing the participation of over 7,000 people.

Over 7,000 people join the 2017 Olympic Day Run for public health in Hanoi on March 26^th. (Credit: Tuan Linh)

Aimed at celebrating Vietnamese Sports Day (March 27^th), the event also marked the launch of the 44^th Hanoi Moi Newspaper Run for Peace.

Hanoi leaders, along with representatives from relevant ministries, local people, and famous athletes such as Olympic gold medalist Hoang Xuan Vinh, as well as foreigners living and working in Vietnam, participated in the event.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Khanh Hai stated that the Olympic Day Run inherits and promotes President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology of "dan cuong thi quoc thinh” (strong people make a prosperous country) and the ideals of the world Olympic movement.

The event also helped to promote the movement requiring the public to take part in physical activities following the example of Uncle Ho, while creating habits of physical exercise and sports among the people, thereby building a healthy lifestyle and cultural environment and consolidating the great national unity bloc.

Olympic gold medalist Hoang Xuan Vinh joins the 2017 Olympic Day Run for public health in Hanoi on March 26^th. (Source: news.zing.vn)

After the launching ceremony, the City’s leaders, representatives and about 7,000 Hanoians jogged around Hoan Kiem Lake and participated in various sports activities and art performances.

Previously, the Olympic Day Run took place in 584 wards, communes and towns in Hanoi from March 18^th-26^th with the participation of about 350,000 people.

The same day, the National Tien Phong Newspaper Marathon took place in Ninh Binh City, Ninh Binh Province with the participation of nearly 300 athletes and 2,000 companion runners.

The same launching for the Olympic Day Run for public health was also organised on March 26^th at Ho Chi Minh City’s Nguyen Hue Walking Street.

More than 5,200 people, including armed force officers, soldiers, students, youth, workers, employees, the elderly and many foreigners living and working in the city participated in the 1,500m run.

The 2017 Olympic Day Run for public health in Duong Noi, Ha Dong, Ha Noi on March 18^th. (Credit: Ntt Thuyet‎)

It is estimated that about 7 million people participated in the event in many provinces and cities throughout the country from March 18^th-27^th.

Many cultural performances and sports activities were also organised on the occasion, creating a joyful and exciting atmosphere while contributing to raising awareness of the benefits of physical training and sports among the people./.

The 2017 Olympic Day Run for public health in Binh Tan District, HCM City on March 26^th. (Credit: Angelbeauty Group)

The Run in Hai Chau, Da Nang on March 19^th. (Credit: Bich Hoang)

Compiled by VNF