Runners participating in the Manulife Danang International Marathon 2023 pose for a photo. — Photo Manulife Vietnam

ĐÀ NẴNG — The Manulife Danang International Marathon 2023 wrapped up over the weekend with participation from more than 9,000 professional and amateur runners, including nearly 1,500 international athletes from 50 countries and regions.

The race also welcomed numerous running clubs from neighbouring countries and territories such as Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, while drawing thousands of tourists to Đà Nẵng.

The marathon featured five distances: 42km, 21km, 10km, 5km, and a 1.5km track for children, taking participants through the breathtaking landscapes of Đà Nẵng's coastal city.

Phạm Tấn Xử, Director of Đà Nẵng Department of Culture and Sports praised Manulife Danang International Marathon 2023, saying that the event had extended beyond the city's sports and athletic initiatives.

It had achieved substantial recognition within the nation and garners strong support from athletes across the globe, he said.

Xử said the marathon had been successful in nurturing the running movement, promoting a healthier lifestyle, and enriching the image of Đà Nẵng City as a vibrant and hospitable destination.

The event concluded with remarkable achievements as a new record was established for the full 42 km distance in the men's category.

Among the men, Ethiopian athlete Takele Ebisa exhibited an impressive display of skill and determination, clinching the championship title with a remarkable completion time of 2 hours, 26 minutes, and 11 seconds. This outstanding feat not only secured his victory but also shattered the previous record held by Japanese runners, who had completed the race in 2 hours, 32 minutes, and 16 seconds.

In the women's category, Ethiopian contender Birehan Marta Tinsae demonstrated her prowess and determination, seizing the top accolade by crossing the finish line in a commendable time of 2 hours, 58 minutes, and 26 seconds.

A runner crosses the finish line. — Photo Manulife Vietnam

Tôn Thất Anh Vũ, a legal representative for Manulife Vietnam said through this event, the company aimed to promote an active and healthy lifestyle within the community, while consistently offering more beneficial activities to continue being a trusted life partner, safeguarding the physical and financial health of every customer.

Manulife Vietnam has been a sponsor of the event since 2016, promoting and encouraging an active and healthy lifestyle among the Vietnamese population through the sport of running.

In addition, this year it also launched the MOVE challenge series on the ManulifeMOVE mobile app.

Participants had the opportunity to engage in exciting movement challenges and contribute to Việt Nam's reforestation process, with the goal of planting 4,000 trees in Xuân Liên Nature Reserve in Thanh Hóa Province.

The Manulife Danang International Marathon is the first professional international marathon in Việt Nam certified by The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

Finishers are eligible for registration in prestigious marathons worldwide, such as the New York City Marathon, the London Marathon, and the Berlin Marathon.

The Manulife Danang International Marathon is also rated among the top three competitions with the most beautiful running track in the region (Radisson, 2015) and has the honour of being ranked third out of the top six most worthy marathons to join in Asia by the US Rad Seasons Magazine.  VNS