OneWay Marathon in Cát Bà Islands promises to be a special, unique and wonderful competition for runners. Photo of organisers

HÀ NỘI — A new running event, OneWay Marathon – Step over Your Limit, was launched yesterday on the beautiful island of Cát Bà near Hải Phòng City.

The island's first-ever running event on December 12 is expected to give runners a unique experience and precious bonuses at home.

"OneWay will be different from other marathons as competitors will run through the most beautiful routes on Cát Bà Island in the afternoon," said Bùi Minh Tuấn, head of the organising board, at a press briefing yesterday in Hà Nội.

"We choose three routes of 5km, 10km and 21km based on the advice of the Việt Nam Athletics Federation officials. All routes are designed to help Cát Bà show off its magnificent landscape and fresh air.

"Runners will enjoy splendid views of nature under the stunning sunset on the beach. However, they also face challenges when passing through the island's parks, forests, and hilly and downhill routes, especially the 21km track. It is a tourism sport event," he said.

Tuấn said more than 3,000 professional and amateur runners have registered to participate in the marathon. He expects that many more people will join the race after the official launch.

Organisers will deliver 24 prizes to top runners in three categories.

Female winners will take home an electric motorbike from sponsors VinFast, and another will be given to the winner of the Lucky Draw at the OneWay Marathon Festival on December 12.

Part of the cash collected from the marathon will be given to Operation Smile, an international medical charity that has provided hundreds of thousands of free surgeries for children and young adults in developing countries who are born with cleft lip, cleft palate, or other facial deformities. Ten scholarships will be delivered to poor students of Cát Bà, while another part will support treatment for infertile couples across the country.

Taking part in the briefing, Nguyễn Quang Vinh, deputy chairman of the Cát Hải District People's Committee, welcomed runners and their families and friends to Cát Bà.

"Cát Bà has been one of the must-visit destinations in Việt Nam for both local and international tourists for years. We are an archipelago which is composed of more than 36 islands. We are one of the world's Biosphere Reserves and member of the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays of the World," Vinh said.

"Coming to Cát Bà, visitors will have a chance to enjoy the wonders of nature, the idyllic way of life, and the savoury seafood."

He added the local authority and organisers were working hard to complete the final touches for the tournament. Runners and tourists will be treated to the best hospitality and natural beauty on the islands.

The tournament is co-organised by the Doanh Nhân Trẻ (Young Businessmen) online magazine, Voice of Việt Nam and the Việt Nam Journalist Association. VNS