Marathon

Trần Văn Đảng crosses the finish line of the Tây Hồ Half Marathon 2023 on April 9 in Hà Nội. — Photos courtesy of Tây Hồ Half Marathon

HÀ NỘI — Trần Văn Đảng and Bùi Thị Thu Hà won the Tây Hồ Half Marathon 2023 - Powered by BIM Group on April 9 in Hà Nội.

Đảng finished the men's 21km with a time of 1hr 14.40min. Hoàng Hữu Hanh and Oliver Sewell followed him.

Meanwhile, Hà finished with a time of 1:24.16 in the women's 21km category. Trần Thị Duyên and Nguyễn Đặng Huỳnh Tiên were second and third, respectively.

"It is my first half-marathon race, I am so happy to win the gold medal," said Đảng, former SEA Games 800m and 1,500m silver medallist. "Thank you all for supporting me." 

In the 15km races, Lương Xuân Sơn took the men's title with a time of 52.11min. Trịnh Đình An and Nguyễn Hoàng Thịnh behind him.

A record of more than 5,000 runners took part in the tournament.

Lê Thị Thanh Nga secured the women's gold for her 1:00.13 time. Nguyễn Thị Lụa and Tụ Thị Thu Hà Thu bagged silver and bronze, respectively.

In the 6km tournaments, Lê Anh Hào and Hoàng Thị Ngọc Anh were men's and women's champions.

One day earlier, the organisers held a tournament for children entitled Kids Run the Earth. Hundreds of boys and girls participated in three categories of 700m, 1.5km and 3km. 

The third Tây Hồ Half Marathon, organised by the Tây Hồ District People's Commitee and Vũ Media, lured more than 5,000 runners, setting a record of participants.

All routes were designed to give participants the best experience of the lake’s historical and cultural relics and ancient structures, such as Trấn Quốc Pagoda and the Tây Hồ and Quan Thánh temples.

Cosplay runners have some fun during the race.

"After three years, the growth of the tournament in terms of scale proves our right orientation in developing community sport which helps improve people's living standards physically and mentally," said Bùi Thị Lan Phương, Tây Hồ District People's Committee Vice Chairwoman.

"It is really an emotional event," said Vũ Media Director Vũ Văn Phong, deputy head of the organising board. "We have to say a big 'thank you' to athletes who participate in the race and sponsors who support us to ensure a successful half marathon. Hope to see you all here next year."  VNS