Road race Vietnam DPR/TV/1273

Anzac and Vietnamese soldiers and civilians recently competed in a 5000-metre road race from Long Dien to the capital of Phuoc Tuy Province, Baria, in South Vietnam. The race was part of the celebrations of an important Vietnamese festival...the anniversary of the first legendary King of Vietnam, Hung Vuong (Hung Vwong). Twenty-five Australian and New Zealand soldiers and 12 Vietnamese raced along the road in a welter of motor cycles ridden by many of the local spectators. First man home was an Australian, Trooper John Thurgar of Scone, NSW, a member of 1st Special Air Service Squadron. He, and the first Vietnamese to finish, received trophies from the Deputy Commander of the 1st Australian Task Force, Colonel Peter Falkland of Braddon, ACT, and the Chief of Phuoc Tuy Province, Colonel Tu (Tyoo). The runners up also received prizes. The race was organised by the Task Force and Vietnamese authorities to further understanding between the people of the province and the Task Force soldiers.