Marathon

Athletes in the HCM City Night Run Thang Loi Group 2022. This year, more than 2,500 runners will make the city more vibrant on May 13 night. Photos of organisers

HCM CITY — The HCM City Night Run Thang Loi Group 2023 will begin at the HCM City Labor Cultural Palace on the evening of May 13.

In its second edition, more than 2,500 runners from 22 countries and territories will take part in the international sport event.

Athletes will compete in three races of 5km, 10km and 21km, starting at midnight.

Designed as a running festival, participants will have a chance to enjoy typical Vietnamese experiences and many activities in the expo which opened on May 12.

Three routes will lead runners through HCM City's iconic landmarks and famous cultural sites under the cool night weather of the city, giving them amazing feelings of the urban night.

Competitors in the half marathon category will run in the route that links HCM City's centre streets with new Thủ Đức City across the well-known bridges of Thủ Thiêm and Ba Son.

Along with the main races, many sideline activities will be organised such as the Team Run, the Couple Run and Cosplay.

Beautiful routes are designed to take runners through HCM City's best destinations.

Under the theme of 'Light your Night' the marathon is not just a sport tournament. It is also a cultural event where athletes have the opportunity to discover and experience a different Sài Gòn at night. They can also exchange, connect and share their experiences, bringing a memorable and emotional race to each other in the festive atmosphere.

A Runner’s Music Show will give the stage to marathoners to sing their favourite songs, promising a cozy and romantic musical event for the running community.

A total of 72 prizes of VNĐ1.5 billion (US$64,000) in cash and gifts will be awarded to high-ranking runners in main races and sideline categories.

The marathon is jointly organised by the HCM City People's Committee, the city's Athletics Federation and Unique Event & Media.

It is one of activities to celebrate late President Hồ Chí Minh's 133th anniversary on May 19.

It is expected to encourage people to take part in sports and running in particular.

Through the marathon, organisers also want to introduce a dynamic and integrated HCM City to wider domestic and international visitors, as an effort to push the local tourism. VNS