Eye Care Run

The inaugural Johnson & Johnson Vision Run brought together ESCRS delegates, their families and citizens of Vienna who rose at dawn to raise money for the Eye Care Foundation. More than €2000 was raised for the Eye Care Foundation which will support the Foundation’s vision of establishing good and affordable eye care in developing countries. The Foundation has projects in Nepal, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Tanzania. Conditions were ideal and while the sky was overcast, a light, cool, breeze provided welcome relief for more than 120 runners taking part in the run on a beautiful autumn’s day in Prater Park. “This is not just a run. We are trying to create an experience,” said event organiser Fred Treseler and he proved as good as his word, laying on a spectacular pre-race show. With lively dance music playing in the background, the runners got ready for the race with a lively aerobic warm-up before setting off on their adventure. Before they approached the starting tape, Jean-Claude Dubacher, vice president, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Johnson & Johnson Vision, welcomed runners to the event. “I am truly impressed that after what I’m sure was a short night you are all here,” he said. “This inaugural event is not only about taking care of ourselves but also about taking care of the Eye Care Foundation. I hope you enjoy this beautiful day.” With that the elite runners set off on their way followed by the rest of the field. The overall winner was Abdullah Al-Safran who led the field home in an excellent 17 minutes and 27 seconds, with Flemming Moller in second place in 18:24 and Ruben Andersen third in 18:40. Arguably the performance of the day came from the women’s winner Kathrine Tilma who raced home in 19 minutes 38 seconds leading the majority of the male athletes home. Kathrine, a cataract surgeon in Denmark, had a big smile on her face as she crossed the line. “It is nice to run,” she said, as she was congratulated by her fellow competitors. In second place for the women was Dyane Herbert at 22:46 and Pricila Bonetti at 23:52 in third. For the full results from the Vision Run race go to https://jnjvisionrun.com/results.html.   For more information on the Eye Care Foundation go to https://eyecarefoundation.eu/  

Tags: ESCRS