Marathon

Athletes test routes of the Vietcombank Mekong Delta Marathon Hậu Giang 2023 which will see the participation of thousands of competitors. — Photo of organisers

HÀ NỘI — The Vietcombank Mekong Delta Marathon Hậu Giang 2023 is expected to pass new milestones in both scale and quality in its fourth edition this weekend.

The tournament will see a record of more than 9,000 runners taking part in four categories of 5km, 10km, half marathon and full marathon.

Last year, as many as 7,000 athletes from 15 countries and territories took part in the event.

This year, the marathoners will race on the international standard routes that are recognised by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races.

Runners can submit their results from this competition to register for elite marathons around the world.

The routes have been specially designed as a single loop allowing athletes to experience the nature and culture of the region's expansive fields, rustic villages, and winding canals which are typical of the Hậu Giang countryside.

A total prize pot of VNĐ200 million (US$8,500) will be awarded to top-ranking runners.

An award of VNĐ50 million will be given to any runner that sets a new record in the full marathon class. The organisers have promised to give out a ticket to compete in one of six events of the World Marathon Majors for the best runner. They'll also provide support for travel, accommodation and food. 

The marathon will showcase the countryside and cuisine of the Mekong Delta. — Photo of organisers

To encourage the running movement in the province, the organisers are also holding private competitions for Hậu Giang's local officials. The winners of each category will be awarded prizes equal to half the official prize values.

Organisers also hold two distances of 800m and 2.3km for children, with 2,000 competitors taking part in the races.

"Vị Thanh is a young city as Hậu Giang has been newly established. It's in good condition to develop a marathon running movement," said Nguyễn Tử Anh, director of Nexus, the organiser of the marathon.

"There is a clear message spreading through the event which is organised to popularise the sport, promote tourism and social responsibility to save the Mekong Delta region."

He added that the Mekong Delta Marathon aims to become the top event of its kind in Việt Nam and be recognised throughout Southeast Asia.

During the two-day event, runners can try the local cuisine and specialities and take part in tours to discover the area.

Local businesses and tour operators can learn more about the potential of the province. All are to promote and stimulate tourism, especially green sports tourism, turning Hậu Giang into a staple for health-related tourism in the region.

The tournament is one of many activities to celebrate the 20th year of the establishment of Hậu Giang Province in early 2024.

Other events include a trade fair of OCOP products, a book fair, an exhibition of the province's unique products and an introduction to local culture, sports and tourism, as well as the opening ceremony of the Mekong Delta's ninth Sports Games.

Along with people's fitness, the organisers also care about the environment.

Part of the cash collected from the races will be used to grow trees, in line with their slogan of Green Hậu Giang - Fighting Climate Change.

It is expected that the marathon will raise awareness of environmental protection and community responsibility to combat climate change. At the same time, people can build an increasingly bright, green, clean and beautiful environment. — VNS