Amidst the majestic scenery of the ocean and mountains, a feeling of excitement and nervousness crept into every step of my running and the other athletes', as if we were connecting more deeply with nature, with every sea breeze and every wave.
Con Dao has long been famous for its wild beauty, long stretches of white sand and clear blue water. But not only that, this place is also a safe home for thousands of sea turtles, creatures that have existed for millions of years but are facing the risk of extinction. Since 1987, Con Dao National Park has made continuous efforts to protect this turtle species, helping to significantly increase the number of turtles nesting on the island.
Over the years, Con Dao National Park has made continuous efforts to protect sea turtles.
The race is organized annually by AKYN Hotel Group and The Secret Con Dao Hotel, and this season 3 marks the hotel's 4th anniversary. With the event "Run for sea turtles 2024", I and 202 other athletes participated in a race not only to overcome ourselves, but also to contribute to sea turtle conservation. The organizers chose the sunset time for the race, a time when Con Dao appears most radiant, like a gift from nature to those who love this island.
Mr. Nguyen Khac Pho, Director of Con Dao National Park Management Board shared: “The Run for Con Dao Sea Turtles, initiated by AKYN Group, will contribute to making the image of nature, people of Con Dao, and Con Dao land more and more beautiful, healthier, living in harmony with nature and more meaningful. The race is a source of spiritual encouragement for Con Dao National Park to continue to make more efforts to do a good job of sea turtle conservation, contributing to the cause of nature conservation and high-end tourism development in Con Dao in the coming time”.
Participants excitedly check-in before the race
Bright faces started to set off
Our running route started from Lo Voi beach, where the cool breeze from the open sea blew in, carrying the salty taste of the ocean. The running route was designed by the organizers with three distances of 3 km, 5 km and 10 km, suitable for all participants, from beginners to experienced athletes. I chose the 5 km distance, just enough to challenge myself, just enough to feel all the beauty of Con Dao's nature. Each step I took seemed to blend into the peaceful rhythm of the island, feeling more deeply the beauty that nature had bestowed upon this place.
Beautiful running routes
A memorable moment during the race was when a male turtle weighing about 65 kg ran aground at Lo Voi beach. A group of runners quickly coordinated with the rangers to rescue the turtle and bring it back to the sea safely. This incident not only made the race more meaningful but also reminded everyone of the importance of protecting the environment.
At the end of the race, the organizers contributed and donated 100 million VND to Con Dao National Park for sea turtle conservation work there. In addition, to promote sustainable tourism development in Con Dao with the local government, AKYN Group and The Secret Con Dao Hotel donated an additional 20 million VND to the People's Committee of Con Dao district, supporting the purpose of promoting responsible tourism to modern travelers.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Thu, Chairwoman of AKYN Hotel Group shared: "It is truly a joy to see the Sea Turtle Run program receiving the support of many participants. It is everyone's expectations that are a great source of motivation for us to always learn and try to bring the best possible things to the program, not just stopping at a simple grassroots running race.
But no matter how it develops, the criteria for building the race right from the beginning are still maintained and continued; that is the desire to contribute to promoting Con Dao tourism towards sustainable development, raising awareness of local people and tourists in protecting the environment in general, especially the marine environment of turtles in particular. Through this event, we hope to contribute to building a green - clean - beautiful Con Dao, where people and nature develop together sustainably."
Support from the business community
The 2024 Sea Turtle Run received support from many major sponsors such as Filmore Real Estate Development Joint Stock Company, Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank, SEAREFICO Joint Stock Company and Mai Quynh Tourism and Trade Services Company Limited. In addition, the race also attracted the cooperation and support of many media units. The contributions of these businesses not only ensure the success of the race but also demonstrate the commitment of the business community to sustainable development and environmental protection.
The reluctant protagonist in the race
Athlete - Green Ambassador in every step
Run for Sea Turtles 2024 has successfully connected the passion for sports with the responsibility to protect the environment. Each participant is not only a runner, but also an ambassador for sea turtle conservation and the marine environment in Con Dao. By participating in the race, they have contributed to raising public awareness about the conservation of rare green sea turtles, balancing the ecosystem and spreading the spirit of responsible tourism.
With the success of the third season, "Run for Sea Turtles" has affirmed its position as a unique sports - tourism - conservation event, promising to continue to develop and spread the message of environmental protection in the coming years, while creating sustainable marks in the community and environment of Con Dao.
The appearance of this sea turtle made the race even more interesting.
Con Dao for me is not only a tourist destination but also a place for me to feel and appreciate the value of nature. In the quiet space of the mountains and forests, the murmuring sound of the waves, I feel small but meaningful when I have contributed to the journey of protecting sea turtles - a symbol of life in the vast ocean.
