Marathon

Athletes competing in the men's and women's 320km of the Ultra Trail Cao Bằng 2023 on August 1. — Photo courtesy of Ultra Trail Cao Bằng

HÀ NỘI — Nearly 1,000 runners across the country are taking part in the Ultra Trail Cao Bằng 2023, which began in the northern mountainous province of Cao Bằng on Tuesday.

Marathoners are competing in different distances ranging from 10km to 320km. The pack of athletes finished their first stage in the men's and women's 320km.

The second pack of 220km will start racing tomorrow, followed by runners in the 120km class on August 5. They will run one stage every day until August 6.

Meanwhile, participants in the 70km, 42km, 25km and 10km will kick off their tournament on August 6.

"They will run through beautiful bamboo forests and terraced rice fields and along Bằng and Quây Sơn rivers. They will be head through forests and pine hills on the way to the finish," said Nguyễn Tiến Hùng, race director.

Athletes rest at a checkpoint during the Ultra Trail Cao Bằng 2023 on August 1. — Photo courtesy of Ultra Trail Cao Bằng

"I can confirm that the Ultra Trail Cao Bằng covers all types of terrains that runners have experienced in other marathons in other localities. I myself will run slowly to enjoy the beauty here," he said.

It is the second season of the tournament organised by the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Race Jungle.

The event is intended to promote Cao Bằng – home to a UNESCO-recognised global geopark.

Runners will cross magnificent landscapes and cultural-historical sites such as the Pắc Bó special national relic site, Mắt Thần Mountain, Thang Hen and Bản Viết lakes, and Bản Giốc Waterfall, among others.

Non Nước Cao Bằng Global Geopark is an exceptional area that demonstrates the history of the earth for more than 500 million years. It’s also a land of tangible and intangible cultural heritage sites.

The 3,000sq.km geopark covers the six districts of Hà Quảng, Trà Lĩnh, Quảng Yên, Trùng Khánh, Hạ Lang, Phục Hòa, and part of Hòa An, Nguyên Bình and Thạch An districts. It's home to nine ethnic groups, including Tày, Nùng, Mông, Dao and Sán Chay.

Cao Bằng is also known for Bản Giốc Waterfall and the Lenin Stream - where late President Hồ Chí Minh once went fishing, and Ngườm Ngao Cave. — VNS