Ulaanbaatar
The Tenth "Hope and Possibility-Ulaanbaatar" Marathon Takes Place
Sports
Ulaanbaatar, September 23, 2024 /MONTSAME/. The 10th "Hope and Possibility" marathon, organized by the “Achilles Mongolia” Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), was successfully held on September 21, 2024.
Since 2015, “Achilles Mongolia” has organized seven marathons and two virtual marathons, held each September. The “Hope and Possibility” marathon has now become a staple in Ulaanbaatar, with the goal of changing perceptions about people with disabilities and encouraging them to lead more active and fulfilling lives through sports.
Member of the State Great Khural (Parliament) of Mongolia Saranchuluun Otgon, who participated in the event, said, "As a child, I lost my leg after falling from a horse. Wearing a prosthetic limb, I faced both physical and social challenges, including misconceptions about disabilities. In 2014, while studying in the United States, I discovered that people with disabilities ran marathons. It was then that I met the “Achilles Mongolia” NGO. This marathon enables people with disabilities to gain new experiences while teaching the youth who are volunteering in this marathon the benefits of helping others. It encourages students to support others and rethink outdated stereotypes. Also, enterprises can contribute to helping people with disabilities through donations."
The marathon has grown significantly since the first event in 2015, which saw 70 volunteers and 400 participants. Today, the number of volunteers has swelled to 200-300, with over 2,000 runners participating. Additionally, sponsorship has expanded from just 1-2 companies in the early days to 10-20 partners, alongside a growing number of collaborating organizations.
The 10th "Hope and Possibility" marathon featured four different categories, which were 1.5km, 5km, 21km, and 42km.
