Marathon

The first Sơn Kim Thủ Đức City Run is scheduled on September 1-3 at the Metropole Thủ Thiêm Urban Area, Thủ Đức city, HCM City. Photos of organisers

HCM CITY — The first Sơn Kim Thủ Đức City Run will be organised on September 1-3 at The Metropole Thủ Thiêm Urban Area, Thủ Đức city, HCM City.

The run, which is the first annual sporting event of the new city, will see athletes competing in the 5km, 10km and half marathon, along with two distances of 3km and 1.5km for the children.

Inspired by the Boston Marathon, the world oldest marathon with a race connecting eight cities in Massachusetts in the US, the organisers expect to lure up to 4,000 runners who will compete in the routes that run through the city's landmarks and symbols.

According to the organisers, the routes will be measured and receive official certificates from the Marathon Association and the World Athletics Federation for the first season.

The run, one of the activities to celebrate National Day on September 2, is also expected to make Thủ Đức a destination for running lovers while encouraging local people to take part in sporting activities.

"In the process of recovering after the pandemic, HCM City with its dynamism, creativity and diversity, targets to become a "city of events" in order to promote tourism to attract both domestic and foreign tourists. The Sơn Kim Run is one of the new products which are being developed for a dynamic and creative Thủ Đức city, a "city within a city" of HCM City," said Lê Trương Hiền Hoà, deputy director of the HCM City Tourism Department. "I believe that the Sơn Kim Run will make an impressive mark among a series of activities to celebrate National Day on September 2 in HCM City, bringing an interesting experience for tourists and contributing to the development of Thủ Đức and HCM City."

Vietnamese actress and model Chi Pu (left) will be among the artists taking part in the Sơn Kim Thủ Đức City Run.

Speaking at a press conference on July 21, Bùi Thị Phương Hiền, deputy general director of Sơn Kim Land, shared: "Thủ Đức City will have an iconic running race. It is an important sporting activity, strengthening the solidarity in the community, honouring traditional values and heritage. It is also to promote Thủ Đức as an innovative, open and youthful city. We are proud to accompany the city government and partners to establish an iconic annual run of HCM City in general and Thủ Đức in particular.”

In addition to racing, athletes and supporters will take part in sideline activities such as cheerleading dances, a water drum performance, hot air balloon show and cosplay running. The participation of influential artists such as Chi Pu will make the event more enlivening.

"After organising many large-scale sporting events, I believe that the Sơn Kim run will be a successful event from the first time, setting a strong foundation for its next editions," said race director Đỗ Huỳnh Khánh Duy. "It is not only to encourage a healthy and positive lifestyle but also create a playground for all people. Through the race, we also spread a message of protecting the environment as athletes' race kits are made of recycled materials."

He added that the organisers committed to continuously introduce new technologies and applications to make the race more and more "green" year by year.

The tournament has been officially opened for registration at www.thuduccityrun.com. Discounts will be applied for groups of 10 or more members. Pupils and students are encouraged to run with a special offer of 30 per cent for all distances. VNS