Ha Noi Moi Newspaper's 41st Run for Peace.

HA NOI (VNS) — Rainy weather failed to stop thousands of athletes from participating the Ha Noi Moi newspaper's 41st Run for Peace yesterday.

Host Nguyen Ba The overcame many others, including the nation's leading runners, to top the Open category, which was nearly 9km around Hoan Kiem Lake. Soldier Do Quoc Luat of the Border Guard team came in second, followed by his teammate, Bui The Anh.

"I am really surprised as I overcame experienced runners to take the title at the Ha Noi Moi contest for the first time. It will be a strong push to me as well as my team ahead of the National Sport Games, where I am aiming to win a gold medal," said The.

Nguyen Thi Phuong of Thanh Hoa topped the women's 5.2km category, followed by Pham Thi Hue of Quang Ninh and Nguyen Thi Oanh of Bac Giang. The event also lured hundreds of foreigners working and living in the capital. Hugo Page of the United Nations International School won first prize for male expatriates, and Uliana Videneyeva of the Russian Embassy won first prize for female. — VNS