Vietnam tops Southeast Asia for 2nd time in Standard Chartered’s Greatest Race on Earth
Hanoi, February 18th, 2008 – Vietnam finally won the first prize in the Southeast Asia region in Standard Chartered’s Greatest Race on Earth 2007/08 series and was awarded a total cash prize of US$40,000. This is the second time that Vietnam wins the top position in Southeast Asia, repeating the country’s best results in GROE’s first season last 2004/05. Bui Van Toan finished the last leg in Hong Kong with the timing of 02:44:11 has brought Vietnam with a total cumulative time of 10:46:43. Thailand (10:47:52) and Indonesia (11:27:15) won the second and third positions, respectively, in the region.
With outstanding performances by Nguyen Van Long (02:44:07), Nghiem Xuan Chung (02:47:28), Nguyen Dang Duc Bao (02:30:57) and Bui Van Toan (02:44:11) in Nairobi, Singapore, India and Hong Kong, respectively, Vietnam ranks 15th in the overall standings among 35 teams in the Nations Challenge Men.
Topping the Nations Challenge Men in the 2007-2008’s series is Kenya’s B with the cumulative time of 09:09:16, followed by Kenya A (09:24:15), and Zimbabwe (09:30:46).
Representing Standard Chartered Bank, organizer and sponsor of the Greatest Race On Earth, Mr. Ashok Sud, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, said: “I am delighted at the tremendous performance of the Vietnam Marathoners who ran and won as a team and truly reflected the value and importance of team work. Exposure to international marathons is critical for consistently improving the technique and standards of the Vietnam athletes and as a leading international bank we at Standard Chartered are very proud for having provided this opportunity for 4 years now. I sincerely hope that more youngsters in Vietnam will take to this sport and fly the Vietnam flag high!”
Bui Van Toan will fly back to Vietnam this afternoon. All four runners will gather in an upcoming prize awards ceremony which will be held by Standard Chartered Bank.