Marathon

Athletes test route of the fourth Ecopark Marathon. More than 3,500 marathoners will 'run in the middle of the green' on April 29. VNS Photo Triệu Linh

HÀ NỘI — The fourth Ecopark Marathon will see more than 3,500 runners at Hưng Yên Province's fresh and green Ecopark urban area on April 29.

Initially an event for local residents to celebrate the Hùng King's death anniversary, the marathon has developed into one of the biggest annual running events which sees the participation of thousands of amateur and elite athletes and international runners from different localities.

This year, marathoners will compete in three categories of 5km, 10km and 21km for men and women which are designed to guide participants through all the most beautiful zones of the area under a concept of 'RUNCATION', which is a combination of running, vacation and team building.

A Kid Run event for children will be organised. Two new categories of Couple and Family are added into the event as organisers want to encourage more people to take part in sport activities, strengthen family relationships and promote environmental awareness through running.

Former SEA Games champions Nguyễn Văn Lai and Trần Văn Đảng are the best known names in the men's half-marathon. Meanwhile, Bùi Thị Thu Hà and Đoàn Thu Hằng of the national team will be top candidates in the women's class.

Famous and well-known celebrities such as MC Phan Anh, DJ Huy DX, singer Đức Tuấn and actress Lưu Đê Ly will run with their partners and families.

A run for families will be held for the first time at the fourth Ecopark Marathon. Photo courtesy of EPM

According to organisers, beautiful scenery and green and fresh nature were highlights that lured more and more runners to the "Running in the middle of the green" event which was regrettably cancelled for two years because of the pandemic.

A total bonus of nearly VNĐ540 million (US$23,200) in cash and high-value gifts will be given to winning athletes.

Part of the cash collected from the event will be donated to Operation Smile Vietnam, which provides free surgeries for children and young adults born with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities.

The marathon will be broadcast live on MyTV.

Last year, SEA Games champions Nguyễn Thị Oanh and Đỗ Quốc Luật won the women's and men's 21km races, respectively.

Hồ Thị Thu Hà (women) and Nguyễn Danh Cao (men) were winners of the 10km while Hà Thị Uyên (women) and Nguyễn Tùng Lưu (men) were first in the 5km class. VNS