9 disaster survivors invited to run in marathon in Mongolia
TOKYO, June 15 (AP) - (Kyodo)—Nine residents of three Japanese prefectures hardest hit by the March earthquake and tsunami will be invited to take part in an international marathon in Mongolia on July 24, the organizing group said Wednesday.
Sponsors of the Mongol International Marathon, including a Mongolian tourist industry association, said they want to hearten disaster survivors by inviting the runners from Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures.
Masako Chiba, the bronze medalist in women's marathon at the 2003 Athletics World Championships in Paris, who will also join the race, told a press conference in Tokyo, "I hope we can encourage disaster survivors through the event" so they can move toward reconstruction.
The race in five categories -- from 1 kilometer to half marathon -- on grass fields in Mongolia has been held annually since 1997 to foster amicable international relations.
Sponsors of the Mongol International Marathon, including a Mongolian tourist industry association, said they want to hearten disaster survivors by inviting the runners from Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures.
Masako Chiba, the bronze medalist in women's marathon at the 2003 Athletics World Championships in Paris, who will also join the race, told a press conference in Tokyo, "I hope we can encourage disaster survivors through the event" so they can move toward reconstruction.
The race in five categories -- from 1 kilometer to half marathon -- on grass fields in Mongolia has been held annually since 1997 to foster amicable international relations.
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