Marathon

Runners take part in the first Việt Nam Internation Half Marathon in 2023. The second tournament will be held on January 1, 2024. Photos of organisers

HÀ NỘI The Việt Nam International Half Marathon 2024 will bring more experience to runners in its second season on January 1 in Hà Nội.

It's Việt Nam's first event licensed, supervised, and operated by the Asian Athletics Association. In the first season, 3,000 local and international athletes ran around the capital in the Hoàn Kiếm Lake area.

This year, the tournament, jointly organised by the Hà Nội People's Committee and the Việt Nam Athletics Federation, is expected to attract more elite runners and amateur marathoners competing on the first day of the new year.

International runners will also be taking part. So far, five delegations -- Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Laos, Iran, and Sri Lanka -- have sent their registrations to organisers.

Thailand have registered Sanchai Namkhet and Linda Janthachit who are familiar with Vietnamese people as they vied for medals against Nguyễn Văn Lai, Đỗ Quốc Luật, Nguyễn Thị Oanh and Phạm Thị Hồng Lệ in many editions of the regional SEA Games.

Chinese Taipei promises to send Ting-Yin Chou and Chien-Ho Hsieh, two athletes with remarkable running time to Hà Nội. Both of them took part in the first season and proved themselves tough marathoners who could challenge for the top three positions.

As usual, athletes will take part in the half marathon (21.0975km), 10km, and 5km categories for professional and amateur competitors. 

All will start and finish at the lake area while during their races, marathoners will run through the Old Quarter and the most beautiful street of the capital city. The routes are designed to have some changes compared to the previous ones but are still recognised by the  Association of International Marathons and Distance Races.

Fung Wang Tak, a representative of the List of AIMS–World Athletics, measures the route of the Việt Nam International Half Marathon 2024. — Photo of organisers

A total of VNĐ550 million (US$22.800) is up for grabs. In addition to bonuses for top individual runners, the organisers also present awards to the fastest teams and groups.

Last year, Luật won the men's 21km in a time of 1hr 7.39. He was followed by Lai (1:09.40), Namkhet (1:08.02), and Chou (1:09.35).

On the women's side, Oanh topped the podium clocking (1:15.23). Hsieh came second (1:19.35) and Janthachit third (1:20.52).

This year, a new activity of a walking race will be added to create a playing ground for people and popularise an athletic event to a wider community.

The official announcement and registration form specifically for sports walkers will be announced soon. The top 10 finishers will receive special bonuses from the organisers

Along with the walking race, organisers will also have experts and staff to guide people on how to walk properly and launch a walk race development programme by encourage people to take part in a one-lap walk, about 1.7km, around the Hoàn Kiếm Lake. VNS