30 October 2012
Come join Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge Fun Run
Celebrating Australia’s 60 years of diplomatic relations with Thailand and Laos
The Australian Embassies in Bangkok and Vientiane in cooperation with the Nong Khai Provincial Office, Nong Khai Running Club and Vientiane Municipality, are proud to present the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge Fun Run on Sunday 18 November 2012 at 6:00am. The 5km Fun Run is organised in celebration of the 60th anniversaries of Australia’s diplomatic relations with Thailand and the Lao People's Democratic Republic this year.
The Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai is the first major bridge across the lower Mekong and was constructed with funding from the Australian Government. Officially opened in 1994, the bridge has made a valuable contribution to the economic development of Thailand and Laos, and the Mekong region more broadly. The Friendship Bridge provides the perfect location to celebrate the friendship between the three countries in this 60th anniversary year.
The route will take runners from the Nong Khai Customs Boundary Post, across the Friendship Bridge and loop back to finish in Nong Khai. Thai and foreign runners from the Thai side of the border will not require an entry visa to Laos to participate in the event. The start/finish line and the event assembly area are located at the Nong Khai Customs Boundary Post. Assembly time is 5:00am, warm-up exercises commence at 5:30am and the run starts at 6:00am.
All ages are encouraged to participate in the Fun Run. After the Fun Run, participants are invited to enjoy live cultural performances from Australia, Thailand, and Laos featuring: renowned Australian didgeridoo player David Williams; Nonghai Wittayakarn School’s Pong-Lang folk band; Lao singer and Australian alumnus Ms Aluna Thavonsouk; Lao-Australian dual national Mr Volachit Intharaphithak singing ‘Friends Forever’, a song composed in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Laos; and Laobangfai, a young Lao dance group of aspiring hip hop artists and break dancers which won the Lao Entertainment Awards Dance Contest in 2011.
Participants also stand a chance to win many great prizes.
The first five male and five female runners across the finish line will be presented with commemorative trophies. The next 100 runners will receive commemorative medals.
Registration: Entry is free. Please download registration form at www.thailand.embassy.gov.au and follow the guidelines. For more information, please contact the Australian Embassy at Tel 02 344 6464 or Nong Khai Running Club Tel 086 422 5399 (Mr Adul Chitchai) or 081 975 9432 (Ms Jintawee Jongthawornwut). Runners and walkers will receive complementary t-shirts at the event (until stocks last).
The event organisers would like to acknowledge the generous support from all of our gold sponsors
and silver sponsors
