Trần Văn Đảng of Hà Nội passes Hà Văn Nhật of Thanh Hóa to win the men's open category of the Hànộimới Newspaper's Run for Peace on September 30 in Hà Nội. Photos courtesy of Hànộimới Newspaper'

HÀ NỘI — Trần Văn Đảng defended his top place while Nguyễn Thu Quyên won her first title at the Hànộimới Newspaper's Run for Peace on September 30 in Hà Nội.

Đảng of Hà Nội finished first in the men's open category in which he ran 8,750m equivalent to five laps around the Hoàn Kiếm Lake.

He was followed by Hà Văn Nhật from Thanh Hóa and Hoàng Viết Vỹ Ly from Bắc Giang.

"It is my fourth time running here as a member of the Hà Nội team. I am happy that I have won twice," said Đảng.

"This gold is meaningful for me as I am not a professional in this category but the middle distances of 800m and 1,500m. Running five laps around the lake and given me more confidence ahead of the National Athletics Championship in October."

As many as 1,500 athletes compete in the 48th Hànộimới Newspaper's Run for Peace on September 30 in Hà Nội.

Quyên from Thái Bình left other runners behind to cross the finish line of the women's open 5,250m class in first place.

Hoàng Thị Ngọc Anh of Hải Dương and Đoàn Thu Hằng of the University of Pedagogy of Sports Hà Nội were behind her.

"I was not in the top three in my first participation last year. But winning in my second race is a surprise for me," said Quyên.

"I can't believe that I can overcome many strong rivals to take the championship title. The gold will be a beautiful memory in my career."

In addition to the categories for local runners, foreigners working and living in Hà Nội also had chances to vie for top podium.

Runner Tobin Tarman of United Nations International School of Hanoi (UNIS) won the men's 3.500m.

Otis Taggart of UNIS and Liboy Hueangsy of ITSC came second and third, respectively.

On the women's side, UNIS runners dominated all top three positions after their 1,750m race.

The medalists were Christine Mitchell, Jade Penrod and Jane Gibbons.

The 48th Run for Peace tournament attracted more than 1,500 athletes competing in different categories for elite and amateur runners.

The tournament was jointly organised by the newspaper and the municipal Culture and Sports Department in celebration of the 69th anniversary of the capital city, which falls on October 10, and 24th year that Hà Nội has been recognised as the City of Peace by the UNESCO. VNS