Athletics

Nguyễn Thị Hằng of Hà Nội (third, right) competes in the National Athletics Relay Championships. Hằng's outstanding performance played a key role helping Hà Nội top the medal tally. Photo courtesy of Đặng Ngọc Tú

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội reached the top of the National Athletics Relay Championships which closed in the capital city on October 13.

The host runners secured five golds, five silvers and one bronze at the two-day tournament held at the Hà Nội Sports Training and Competition Centre.

On the last day, there were six categories organised and Hà Nội won three.

Their women won the 4x400m event with a time of 3 min 11.08 sec, besting Nghệ An and Thanh Hóa.

The mixed team topped the 4x800m clocking 8:27.06.

Meanwhile, the men put on a show with their time of 1:24.50 in the 4x200m. Their result was better than the national record of 1:24.63 set by the Thanh Hóa team at the HCM City Open tournament in 2015.

Their other golds were in the men's 4x100m and women's 4x800m.

SEA Games Champion Nguyễn Thị Hằng was the most successful athlete of Hà Nội and the tournament, winning three golds and two silvers.

Hà Tĩnh Province came second in the medal tally with three golds and one bronze.

HCM City finished third, earning two golds, one silver and two bronzes.

The first national relay championship lured more than 150 athletes from 12 teams. They competed in 12 categories for men, women and mixed.

Athletes will see each other again in the National Sport Games in December. VNS