Marathon

Runners take part in the third VNExpress Marathon Sparkling Quy Nhơn in 2022. This year's tournament will be organised on June 11 . Photo of VM Marathon

HÀ NỘI -- The fourth VNExpress Marathon Sparkling Quy Nhơn will be back with more than 10,000 competitors running through stunning, beautiful long stretches of white sandy beach in Bình Định Province on June 11.

Runners will also have opportunities to admire Quy Nhơn City's majestic and wild nature and landmarks that have made it a top choice of tourists in the summer.

There are four routes designed to lead athletes to long beaches, white sandy hills and wind power fields.

Runners will compete in the men's and women' elite and amateur and age groups categories in the 5km, 10km, half marathon and full marathon.

More than 100 awards worth more than VNĐ1 billion are up for grab.

Well-known actor Nhan Phúc Vinh, who will take part in the men's 21km, has set a target of completing his race in 2hr 20 min.

"It is said that the Quy Nhơn Marathon course is the most beautiful one in Việt Nam," Vinh said.

"Runners can experience the ocean air and dry sand dunes as well as the famed Thị Nại Bridge.

"I am really curious and want to get myself in that environment. I have run in different races of  the VNExpress Marathon series and enjoyed the all very much. I am inspired by runners' positive spirit and energy. I have planned to run in next events in Nha Trang, Hải Phòng, Quảng Ninh, Hà Nội and Huế."

Kenyan runner Shelmith Nyawira Muriuki will arrive in Quy Nhơn this weekend and wants to break the Việt Nam national record of 2:45.09 in the women's 42km class.

"To win a marathon, athletes need the help of God, but based on my statistic I think that I have an opportunity," said Muriuki.

"Of course, I want to run faster than the Vietnamese record and believe that I can do it in a tournament's favourable running conditions."

In her first race at the Athens Marathon in 2018 she finished in the top place. After five years, the 39-year-old has been on podium for many times. Her latest title was the Kuala Lumpur Marathon 2022 in a time of 2:44.16.

Her personal best is 2:33.00 set at the the Gran Canaria Marathon in 2019.

"I am excited to see a new running community in a country that I have never visited. I will discover more about Việt Nam," added Muriuki whose latest race was Durban Marathon 2023 in March in South Africa.

If she could run with a time of 2:36.24 as she did in Durban, she would topple the Việt Nam record.

Children take part in a previous KUN Marathon Quy Nhơn. More than 2,600 junior runners will test their skills on a 1km route. -- Photo of VM Marathon

Earlier than the adult's race, the KUN Marathon Quy Nhơn will welcome about 2,600 younger runners on the 1km route on June 10.

In Quy Nhơn, runners will also take part in a charity activities. The organisers will coordinate with the local Red Cross to hold a corporate social responsibility event entitled VM Sharing.

Runners can bring their new and used running items such as shoes and other training
equipment to donate for the Red Cross's kiosk from June 9-11 at the Expo area.

Organisers will classify and clean them before presenting them to people with difficulties, especially disadvantaged children.

"We hope to receive up to 2,000 pieces which will be given mainly to poor ethnic minority students of An Lão, Vĩnh Thạnh and Vân Canh districts," said Phạm Minh Tùng, vice chairman of Bình Định Red Cross Organisation.

"(I) hope that our plan will reach people in need. Runners' sharing will be useful and help to spread positive social values and love to the wider community." VNS