Marathon

Athletes testing the route of the 2023 VPBank Hanoi International Marathon, which will be in Hà Nội on October 8. Photos of organisers

HÀ NỘI — Up to 10,000 runners are expected to participate in this year's VPBank Hanoi International Marathon, an annual major running event in the capital city.

Held from October 6-8, with the running taking place on October 8, the VPIM has been designated as the official tournament of Hà Nội this year.

The VPIM is expected to be an international professional competition and a community sports movement for both elite athletes and amateur runners, according to Đinh Văn Luyến, a representative from the Hà Nội Department of Culture and Sports.

Luyến also highlighted the need for more tournaments like the VPIM to promote international cooperation and exchange and to develop the city's sports.

The 2023 VPIM, with its theme of "Hanoi Vibes", welcomes runners of all ages and abilities, foreigners and locals, competing in four categories of a full marathon, half marathon, 10km, and 5km, all starting from Hoàn Kiếm Lake, the heart of the capital.

The tracks will go through the most famous and beautiful landmarks in the Old Quarters and iconic buildings of modern Hà Nội, recognised as one of the 12 best places worldwide to travel in the autumn.

The VPIM 2023 running route, which will be announced later, will meet international standards set by the International Marathon Association (AIMS).

Organisers hold a press briefing on the 2023 VPBank Hanoi International Marathon on March 16 in Hà Nội.

According to Phùng Duy Khương, deputy CEO of VPBank, the event will be non-profit, with all cash collected to improve the tournament's quality, provide the best experiences to runners, and contribute to charitable activities.

Organisers will give VNĐ30,000 to Newborn Vietnam Organisation and "Cặp Lá Yêu Thương" programme for each successful registration.

Newborn Vietnam is a UK-registered NGO dedicated to reducing neonatal mortality in Southeast Asia, specifically focusing on Việt Nam.

"Cặp Lá Yêu Thương" is a joint programme of VPBank and Việt Nam television VTV that supports disadvantaged residents, poor and disabled children.

VPBank's goal is to make the VPIM a prestigious and high-class marathon that can compete with those held in other cities, such as Bangkok and Singapore. In the future, they hope it will be as well-known as the six majors held annually in Tokyo, Boston, London, and Berlin.

In addition to the VPIM, VPBank will collaborate with VnExpress to organise a large-scale marathon and with Bắc Giang Province's Youth Union to hold the Bắc Giang Marathon 2023 in April.

Those interested in participating in the VPIM can register on the official website https://vpbankmarathon.com, with a special price of VNĐ99,000 for the first 3,000 slots available from March 15. VNS