Running

Đỗ Quốc Luật is national record holder of the men's 21km category. Runners who can beat his record at the Run to Live will receive a big bonus from organisers. Photo of Long Biên Marathon

HCM CITY Record makers will receive big bonuses at the 2024 Run To Live race, which will be organised next March in HCM City.

The three-day tournament will be held for the first time by the City's Culture and Sports Department, the Sài Gòn Giải Phóng (Liberated Sài Gòn) newspaper, and Miracle Entertainment Group.

It is held to motivate people to practice and compete in sports through running. It is expected to lead people to healthy and happy lifestyle, according to organisers.

The event will take place on March 8-10 at the new city of Thủ Đức with the participation of around 6,000 elite and amateur runners.

A 1km race will be held for children on March 9.

On the main race day, March 10, athletes will take part in three categories of 21km, 10km and 5km, in which runners who can set new national records in the longest race will receive VNĐ100 million (US$4,100) each.

The awards for the top three in each category will be announced in the next few weeks.

Currently, SEA Games medallist Đỗ Quốc Luật holds the men's record of 1hr 07.99min, set at the Vietnam International Half Marathon in January. His record was considered an impressive result of the season.

Luật is master of the 3,000m steeplechase, 5,000m and 10,000m, and also a frequent face of running tournaments' top three nationwide. His latest win was at the Long Biên Marathon in October in Hà Nội.

On the women's side, multi-time SEA Games champion Nguyễn Thị Oanh holds the record of 1:15.24. Oanh has promised to defend her title next month.

Nguyễn Thị Oanh is a tough runner in marathon as she has swept titles in several tournaments recently. Photo of Techcombank HMC City Marathon

Oanh will be a serious rival to any one in all running events. She has been unbeatable in middle distance races for many years. She recently began taking part in marathons and won remarkable results.

She just won the Techcombank HCM City International Marathon on December 10, setting a new personal best.

Despite being organised for the first time, 2024 Run To Live is expected to be a quality and competitive event. Organisers said the special bonuses would be a strong push for runners, who would vie for not only top podium but also a purse of cash.

In addition to the sport activity, organisers will also raise money for charity to support poor students, disabled athletes and projects for the community of the Việt Nam Volunteer Resources Information Centre under the Central Committee of the Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union. VNS