The influx of East African runners to Vietnam, particularly for the Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon, highlights the blend of competitive spirit and financial incentives. Ethiopian runner Tesfaye Tsegaye Keress, alongside compatriot Dereje Alemu Miko, navigated through a sea of local participants, driven by the prospect of winning cash prizes. Keress aims to utilize the earnings to expand his family's farming business back in Ethiopia, underscoring the dual purpose of their participation: passion for running and financial necessity in a highly competitive environment.
As Keress told Al Jazeera, love for the sport of running was not the only reason for their trip to Vietnam. Winning was important, he said.
Keress knew that taking first place in the Ho Chi Minh City marathon would earn him a $2,500 cash prize. We plan to expand our farm using the money from marathon races.
In a competition consisting primarily of thousands of local Vietnamese runners, the participation of Keress and Miko immediately stirred interest.
He was accompanied by fellow Ethiopian runner, Dereje Alemu Miko, who came to compete in the 21km half-marathon at the event.
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