MB Bank launches environmental running challenge

The HiGreen running challenge initiated by MBBank started at 0:00 on November 4, expected to attract 50,000 participants, with the goal of transforming 10 spontaneous landfills into playgrounds for the community.

At 4am on November 4, 30 runners, including senior leaders, officers, employees of the Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MB) and their relatives, departed from the headquarters at 18 Le Van Luong, beginning to conquer the 29km route around the streets of Hanoi. The group of athletes passed through the "check-points" at 21 Cat Linh, 3 Lieu Giai and 28A Dien Bien Phu. These are the places where the bank used to have its headquarters.

The runner group checked in at 28A Dien Bien Phu - where the bank was headquartered when it was established (November 4, 1994). Photo: MB

The run was the kick-off of the HiGreen – Green Dawn campaign. This is a free running campaign organized by MBBank in collaboration with FPT Online on the online sports platform vRace, to celebrate the 29th birthday of the Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank.

Not only do participants run to improve their health, they can also contribute to the community. After completing 29 km with his colleagues, runner Do Hoai Nam - an IT officer at MBBank set a goal of accumulating 300 km per month, inspiring and spreading the campaign to relatives and friends.

"It's not just a race, it's a charity activity. Every step I run can help the community, so I want to contribute as much as possible. Normally I run 70 km every week, after today, my goal is 100 km," said Nam.

MBBank staff conquer Long Bien bridge. Photo: Tung Dinh

According to information from the Organizing Committee, for each runner who completes one kilometer, MB Bank will match 3,000 VND. The Organizing Committee aims to accumulate at least 2.7 million kilometers, equivalent to 8.1 billion VND, upon completion. The entire match amount will be used to sponsor social organizations, renovate 10 spontaneous landfills into ecological playgrounds for children, and a number of other projects.

After receiving funding from the social charity fund, Think playgrounds and volunteers treated wastewater and sewers, cleaned and renovated the site, installed bins and garbage collection points, planted shade trees, installed playgrounds, multi-purpose fields and gym equipment.

On the morning of November 4, right after the run, the cleanup work was carried out at the first location, a landfill in Phuc Tan ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi city.

"We believe that when the city has more playgrounds, there will be more happy, healthy and resilient children who can overcome challenges and become good citizens contributing to the country's development," said Ms. Nguyen Thuy Linh - Deputy Director of Digital Banking.

Cleaning up at Phuc Tan. Photo: Tung Dinh

The organizers will record results from 0:00 on November 4 and last until January 15, 2024. Runners only need to connect Strava and Garmin applications to vRace to record results.

Race results are calculated by cumulative achievements. Participants can run and walk an unlimited number of times, depending on their ability and desire to conquer their own limits. However, to be recognized for their achievements, runners need to run at an average speed of 4 minutes/km to 16 minutes/km (pace 04:00 to pace 16:00). Interested readers can register and see more regulations here.

Thanh Lan

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