FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tsering Passang
Tibet Foundation
+44 (0) 207 930 6001 (T)
+44 (0) 207 930 6002 (F)
Tibetan Woman Running the New York Marathon
(New York City, New York, November 7, 2004)
Kelsang Dolma Dodin, is running the New York Marathon on Sunday 7 November
2004 in support of Tibet.
In April 2004, she raised £2400 for the Tibet Foundation when she became
the first Tibetan woman to run the London Marathon, having completed both
the Bonn and Berlin Marathons.
She is a distinctive figure with the gold, blue and red Tibetan National
Flag on her chest and a sacred Tibetan Prayer Flag (lungta) on her back.
Kelsang heard many cheers of "Go Tibet" along the route. "I was doing fine
until around the 13th mile but after that it was getting harder. The
carnival atmosphere gave me the extra strength to run. The supporters and
the crowd were fantastic, I ran 'the extra mile' for Tibet!"
"New York is a place of records, this was the first city marathon and with
35,000 athletes watched by two million people along the streets, it is
still the biggest and best marathon in the world. I'm aiming to break my
time of 4 hours, 54 minutes, and I am going to raise more money for Tibet."
Kelsang has already raised over £1500 and will raise more from her friends
and supporters over the next month. The Foundation is helping the Tibetans
through aid, education, healthcare and sustainable projects in India, Nepal
and inside Tibet.
Tibetan born, Kelsang Dolma Dodin, was brought up in the Himalayan Kingdom
of Ladakh and is an ex-student of the Tibetan Children's Village school in
Dharamsala.
Riga Wangyal of the London chapter of the Tibetan Women's Association said,
"We were very proud that a Tibetan was able to run the London Marathon for
the first time and now she runs in New York with our prayers and best
wishes. Kelsang's effort is a typical example of Tibetan women's
determination. She is a strong role model who shows what can be done."
Karma Hardy, Director of the Tibet Foundation praised Kelsang on her
achievement in the London Marathon and highlighted the projects that have
since benefited from her efforts. "Kelsang is an Ambassador for Tibet,
running marathons around the world. The money she raises relieves poverty
and gives opportunities for a decent standard of education and healthcare
for Tibetans in Ladakh and inside Tibet itself."
The Tibet Foundation is a registered charity established in London in 1985
with the aims of providing healthcare, education and social economic
support for people of Tibetan origin, both those living in exile, and those
living in Tibet itself. It provides facilities to create a greater
awareness of Tibetan culture and works to ensure its continuity and
preservation.
For additional information (interviews, photographs, Tibet Foundation logo
or sponsorship), contact Tsering Passang at Tibet Foundation.
TIBET FOUNDATION (UK Registered Charity No. 292400)
1 St. James's Market, London SW1Y 4SB (UK)
Telephone: +44 (0) 207 930 6001 Fax: +44 (0) 207 930 6002
Email: Website: www.tibet-foundation.org
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