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Mannam events help children, elderly

Members of Mannam International Running Club pose before a marathon run to raise funds for a children's cancer charity in Jamwon on May 6. / Courtesy of Mannam

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By John Redmond

The ninth annual marathon for child cancer was held in Seoul on Sunday. With the slogan "A day when we run for our neighbors", people gathered at the track field in Jamwon to raise money for the cause. The event was hosted by the Seoul Citizen Marathon Competition to Help Cancer Children. According to their official website, since its first marathon in 2002, it has organized a total of five other events for charity to raise 149 million won. All proceeds collected from Sunday are to be donated to children in financial need at Seoul Samsung Hospital and Severance Hospital.

The MANNAM International Running Club (MIRC) participated in this event, to give hope to the children. More than 40 MIRC members, all foreigners living in Korea, took part in this event. The team also expressed determination to participate in other marathons where their presence can help raise awareness to foreign and local communities alike.

Among female participants in the 5km run was Sarah Olson. She expressed that it differed to her last marathon because it had a cause to which she could give her time and money. Mark Benton, the leader of MIRC, had just completed a triathlon the weekend prior; nevertheless, he also participated in this meaningful event. Though it was not physically easy, he knew it was nothing compared to the experiences of children with cancer. Children who suffer from cancer have no choice, Mark explains. "I was truly privileged just to be able to run this race".

The official website for the Marathon for Child Cancer is http://www.marathon4cancerkids.com (Korean only). The Mannam International Running Club is open to all runners from beginners to seasoned veterans and devotes much time to improving the running techniques of individuals. The group aims to create leaders who can undertake volunteer work with valuable qualities and skills. For more information on MIRC and volunteering opportunities, please visit www.mannamintl.org.

Sweet potato planting May 20

In addition, MANNAM International is requesting 100 expats in South Korea to help an elderly couple plant sweet potatoes on their farm in Doraemi Village, located on Ganghwa Island (near Incheon) on May 20.

Doraemi is a very small village (492 families) with an elderly population. More information can be found (in Korean) about the village at http://www.doraemi.kr.

As participants will be working outside on a farm, please wear sunscreen and clothes you don't mind getting a bit dirty. You will be able to purchase water and food at the bus terminal when you arrive on the island.

The schedule for the day is 9:30 a.m., meet at Shinchon Station (line2) Exit 4 and take bus no. 3000 from Shinchon to Gangwha Island. It will cost about 4,200won for a round trip. At 11:30 a.m., arrive at Ganghwa Bridge (one stop prior to Ganghwa Terminal Station).

A group BBQ costing 8,000 won will take place from midday till 1:30 p.m. followed by planting sweet potatoes in Doraemi Village till 4 p.m.

Sightseeing will be organized until the group departs at 5 p.m.

Anyone interested is welcome to register at http://www.mannamintl.org/sweet-potato-planting-and-island-bbq.html

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