(Originally published on 08/22/2015)

The IAAF World Athletics Championships are being hosted in Beijing between August 22^ndand August 31^st. To celebrate UNDP in partnership with Athletics for a Better World (ABW, the Foundation of the International Association of Athletics Federations) invited members of the Beijing international diplomatic community to participate in a 10km running event, held during day 1 of the championships (22nd August.)

5,000 members of the public ran the same official marathon course fifteen minutes after the start of the race. 79 members, from more than fourteen countries were invited by UNDP to participate in the race. The event aimed to raise awareness of the power of sport to unite the world’s nations and continue to promote the UNDP’s message of peace and sustainable development.

The race was a great success with representatives from China, Netherlands, Thailand, Australia, Canada, Germany, Finland, Norway, Poland, Senegal, United Kingdom, Sweden, Seychelles and Montenegro, all successfully participating in the race. UNDP and other UN agency staff, including Deputy Country Director Patrick Haverman also contributed to the race.

The 10km running event is one of many events UNDP and ABW are organising during the world athletics championships this August to highlight UNDP’s commitment to educating the international community on sustainable development.