A group of Malaysian athletes attend VPBank Hanoi Marathon (VPHM) 2022. Photo courtesy of VPBank

HÀ NỘI - VPBank Hanoi Marathon (VPHM) 2022 officially started at 2pm on Sunday with 4 distances 42km, 21km, 10km and 5km.

More than 10,000 Vietnamese and international athletes registered to participate in the tournament, of which the 42km distance had a record number of registrations with more than 3,000 athletes.

VPHM will spread over 90 streets, through 10 heritage sites, 5 big lakes of Hà Nội capital. The opening ceremony of VPBank Hanoi Marathon 2022 took place at 8pm on the previous day. This is a unique encounter between music and sport, with the International Choir Festival as the highlight of the programme.

At the opening ceremony, the record holder, coach Nguyễn Chí Đông presented the 24-carat gold-plated runner trophy to the group of professional athletes and the movement, with the wish that on this top professional running track in Việt Nam, there will be breakthrough athletes.

The organisers also announced the prize system including the first, second, and third prizes for men and women in FM, 21 km and 10 km distances; the first, second and third prizes of the movement for the final distance of 42 km; awards by age with a total prize value of more than VNĐ500 million.

In particular, at VPHM 2022, the organising committee will award a special prize of the "Golden Run" trophy to athletes who break the National Record and a reward of VNĐ100 million for each male and female national record-breaking prize.

VPHM 2022 is becoming more exciting than ever with the first official activities of the expo area at the weekends. Thousands of athletes - talented men on the track gathered to receive race kits and participate in exciting activities at the exhibition booths of VPHM 2022.

Among more than 10,000 registered athletes to participate, VPHM 2022 welcomes more than 1,000 international athletes. There are athletes who set the goal of a marathon record of Việt Nam.

Miyake Takaki had to wait more than three years before he had the opportunity to return to Hà Nội to participate in the VPBank Ha Noi Marathon. His goal is to conquer the 2 hours and 15 minutes milestone at a distance of 42 kilometres, which means breaking the record of not only VPHM but also Việt Nam (2 hours 22 minutes). This is not easy, because Miyake Takaki himself shared that in previous races in Việt Nam, he only finished in about 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Phạm Tiến Sản is the reigning runner-up in the 42 kilometres distance of VPHM and also the champion of the 31st SEA Games in the triathlon (cycling - running). He will be one of the great challenges for Miyake Takaki besides names like Trịnh Quốc Lượng, Đỗ Quốc Luật.

A group of Malaysian athletes attend VPHM with the goal of experience, because running in the streets of ancient Hà Nội is an extremely interesting feeling that not all visitors have the opportunity. The group’s representative believes that they will have good memories at this race.

Trần Thị Phúc is proud to be the host athlete participating in the 21 kilometres distance. She will join more than 1,000 employees of VPBank to attend the VPHM 2022. Before coming to VPHM 2022, she had prepared very carefully when participating in internal challenges and won the first prize in the women's 21 kilometres distance.

The EXPO area of VPHM 2022 is open from 3pm on October 14 to welcome athletes to receive BIBs. Photo courtesy of VPBank

The EXPO area of VPHM 2022 is open from 3pm on October 14 to welcome athletes to receive BIBs. Thousands of Vietnamese and international runners expressed their excitement and were also impressed with the professional and enthusiastic organisation of the tournament organiser. VNS