Running for rugby

Ready to go

On the road

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early morning on the 26th of September at That Luang saw a 12 person team made up of players from the LRF’s 4 official clubs pounding the pavement on their way to an unlikely destination; Luang Prabang, 386 kilometres to the north. The team worked their way through blistering heat, torrential rain, towering mountains and the past the occasional stray buffalo.

 

 

 

Support team

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The run was originally expected to take four and half days (although many doubted this would be possible), with runners running in relay for the duration. However, in true rugby form, the team completed the entire distance in just under 44 hours over three days. Arriving in Luang Prabang, the team was greeted by a welcoming public and the final climb to Phu Si, although very slow, gave the team the opportunity to celebrate their achievement.

 

 

 

 

 

Into the mountains

 

 

 

 

 

A special mention should be made to two of the Vientiane Cheetahs players, Lan and Lo, both 15, who ran superbly throughout the event. Lo said that this was the first time she had ever been to Luang Prabang and her family could not believe that she had run all the way! Both girls are testament to the great work of the LRF school and community projects and the girls demonstrated superb fitness and perseverance throughout the event; a strong indicator of the values and skills they are developing through rugby.

The run was held as a fundraising event for the Lao Rugby Federation and raised more than 3,000 USD, all of which will be used to support rugby development in the Lao PDR. The LRF would like to thank all of the sponsors and supporters of the event.

 

 

 

 

 

All done

 

 

 

 

 

 

Particular thanks go to LTE, Joma, Milsearch and Minelab for their support for the event. For more information and to see more photos of the run, please visit our website at www.laorugby.com

Click on the images to enlarge

Text and images courtesy: Laos Rugby Federation