Marathon

Lê Văn Tuấn crosses the finish line of the 2023 Đất Sen Hồng Marathon -- Materise Homes Cup on Sunday in Đồng Tháp Province. Photos of Nexus Sport Events

ĐỒNG THÁP — Lê Văn Tuấn and Hoàng Thị Ngọc Hoa dominated the 2023 Đất Sen Hồng Marathon -- Materise Homes Cup on Sunday  in Đồng Tháp Province.

Former national team member Tuấn faced no difficulties in leaving all rivals including international runners behind, in the men's full marathon event.

He quickly separated from the main group and finished first with a time of 2hr 43.53min.

Nguyễn Đăng Khoa ran 2.45:03 to take second place and Lý Phi Hải came third after 2.46:54.

On the women's side, 31st SEA Games bronze medallist Hoa raced in a time of 3.07:42, much slower than her personal best, but still quick enough to take the gold medal. 

"It is the first time I have run a marathon in Đồng Tháp," Hoa said. I am pleased with my result because it rained heavily last night.

"This tournament is a good warm-up for me before I take part in the National Athletics Championship next week in Hà Nội."

More than 6,000 runners competed in the 2023 Đất Sen Hồng Marathon.

Behind her were Trần Thị Hoa and Quách Thị Bích Thùy who finished about 20 minutes after the champion.

In the half marathon, Lê Hữu Lộc crossed the men's finish line first at 1.16:12, followed by Trương Văn Tâm (1:16:41) and Nguyễn Trường Giang (1:20:16).

Đoàn Thị Hiền (1:31:58), Phạm Thị Thuý Hạnh (1:34:03) and Lê Thị Nhân (1:37:42) were top three in the women's class.

In the 10km categories, Lý Nhân Tín (34.16min) won the men's race and Cao Thị Thanh Thuý (42.25) claimed the women's.

Earlier, Lê Kim Dược (17.05) and Nguyễn Đặng Yến Huỳnh Huỳnh (21.23) topped the men's and women's 5km podium.

Children also had a chance to race at the second edition of the 2023 Đất Sen Hồng Marathon.

The second Đất Sen Hồng Marathon featured more than 6,000 local and international athletes. There was a children's run for nearly 1000 youngsters competing in the 800m distance.

Prizes worth more than VNĐ230 million (US$9,500) were delivered to winning athletes.

Speaking at the event, Đồng Tháp People Committee's Vice Chairman Nguyễn Phước Thiện, head of the organising board, said the marathon is one of the events recognised by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races created a pro playing ground for runners. The event would inspire more local people to take part in sports and running in particular.

It would help improve people's health and lifestyle and attract more international friends to the land of lotus in Việt Nam.

The Masterise Homes Cup event is hosted by the provincial Culture, Sports and Tourism Department and managed by Nexus Sport Events. VNS