ThaiHealth joins forces with Mukdahan to unveil the impressive “Slow Run Rally,” a creatively styled new physical activity city run. The initiative has received widespread support from all sectors, aiming to elevate the city to a healthy community and strengthen a sustainable tourism economy.
Mukdahan Province is advancing concretely toward becoming a model healthy city after the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) partnered with Mukdahan to organize “The Iconic Run Fest Thailand Series 2026 - Run Mukdahan (Driving Mukdahan)” for the second consecutive year under the “Mukdahan Model” concept. They introduced the “Slow Run Rally” idea, highlighting healthy city development alongside community economy and green tourism. The event also established high safety standards through diverse, seamless physical activities held over two full days from 9 to 10 May 2026, enjoying enthusiastic participation from citizens, communities, and all sectors working actively together.
This event aims to promote Mukdahan Province as a “sustainable healthy city” by using a “festival” format as a key mechanism to communicate the city’s image, reflecting its environmental identity, culture, and local potential. It simultaneously campaigns to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by encouraging behavioral changes to reduce sugar, fat, and salt intake and promote daily physical activity.
On the first day, 9 May 2026, the event attracted lively interest from locals and tourists alike. Activities included Race Pack Collection for bib and shirt registration, an Active Dance Contest for youth from Mukdahan and nearby areas, Healthy Workshops featuring green community markets and pilot communities, VIP meets Communities market, Welcome Performances from indigenous communities, Mukdahan Yoga Showcase & Live Photo @Klong River with group exercise including dance, traditional dance, and yoga, Community Safety Standard Workshop featuring CPR demonstrations, as well as Sunset Active Dance by the Mekong and Mekong Wellness Cuisine that elevated local dishes to national healthy cuisine.
The highlight on the second day, 10 May 2026, was the “City Community Stop Run” in the Slow Run Rally format, covering 8 kilometers. The start and finish were at the former Mukdahan Provincial Governor’s residence, following a unique Mukdahan city route passing through 11 community checkpoints. This integrated tourism, exercise, learning, and creative content generation into a single event.
The launch ceremony honored the presence of Mr. Krai Iamchula, Deputy Governor of Mukdahan, along with Mrs. Prapasri Boonwiset, Chairperson of ThaiHealth’s Plan Committee 5, Dr. Phairoj Saonuam, Deputy Director of ThaiHealth, Ms. Niramol Rasri, Director of the Office for Health Promotion Lifestyle, and other executives and representatives from various agencies who warmly and enthusiastically sent off the participants.
In the “City Community Stop Run,” participants receive a “SLOW RUN RALLY PASSPORT” to collect stamps at all 11 checkpoints by completing tasks such as SEEK (answering questions), SELFIE (taking photos), STAMP (collecting stamps), and SHARE (sharing experiences on social media). Those who collect all stamps receive a commemorative medal at the finish line, adding fun and excitement throughout the route.
All 11 checkpoint locations are important landmarks in Mukdahan Province, including the City Pillar Shrine, Muk Street Art, the 5-Way Community Breakfast Food Street, the Vietnamese Temple, Paithangjia Yai Kham's Fried Dough, Wat Srimongkhon Tai and the Two Ladies Shrine, Indochina Market, Wat Sribunruang, Kanchanaphisek Celebration Tower, and Krua Thai Ice Cream Phorjai. These sites notably enhance the city’s green tourism and economic route.
Over the two days of The Iconic Run Fest Thailand Series 2026 - Run Mukdahan (Driving Mukdahan) Year 2, the event was a great success, receiving overwhelming positive feedback from runners, citizens, communities, and all local sectors. It reflects a strong collaborative spirit in advancing public health alongside urban and community economic development. It also reaffirms Mukdahan’s potential as a national model healthy city, true to the closely watched “Mukdahan Model.”
