Marathon

Athletes test routes of the VnExpress Hải Phòng Marathon 2023. The tournament will be held on December 17 in Hải Phòng City. — Photo of VnExpress Marathon

HẢI PHÒNG — The first VnExpress Marathon Hải Phòng 2023 will feature nearly 11,000 runners vying for top podiums and a huge prize of more than VNĐ1 billion on December 17 in Hải Phòng City.

The tournament is the seventh event of the VnExpress Marathon Series which is run by online VnExpress, FPT Group and the local Culture and Sports Department.

In its debut, there are four categories for runners ranging from 5km to a full marathon along with a fun run for children entitled Kun Marathon.

The junior runners will compete in a 700m route in which they will have to overcome challenges and obstacles on December 16.

Runners will have the opportunity to run along Hải Phòng's beach. — Photo of VnExpress Marathon

The elite and amateur runners will begin their races early on December 17 before they cruise through the portal city's main streets and most famous landmarks such as Hải Phòng Opera House, central city's flower garden, the statue of female General Lê Chân, the Đồi Rồng International Resort and the Đồ Sơn Tourism Resort.

"We have dreamed of having such a large running event in Hải Phòng for a long time. The plan of the event has pushed the running movement as we discussed and trained hard preparing for it," said Trần Nam, representative of Hải Phòng Runners at the press conference on December 14.

"We also made up plans to welcome runners nationwide with our video clip introducing our city and other activities to treat them during the three-day event."

The organisers will present awards to the top five runners in each category along with prizes for the high-ranked athletes of age groups.

The male and female marathon champions will receive the highest bonus of VNĐ36.5 million cash and gifts. 

A press conference introducing the first VnExpress Marathon Hải Phòng is held on December 14. — Photo of VnExpress Marathon

"Hải Phòng has hosted five marathons in 2023 but the VnExpress Marathon is the largest one. The organisers planned to receive up to 9,000 runners but we found fast responses from runners and the number has quickly jumped up and reached nearly 11,000. It shows their great interest in the VnExpress event and our Hải Phòng City," Phạm Thị Tô Trang, deputy director of the Culture and Sports Department.

"Organisers have designed the best routes for runners. I believe that in the run in Hải Phòng, they will have good experiences in which the Đồ Sơn area will be the highlight of the annual race. They will discover our unique aspects in terms of typical culture and delicious cuisine."

Trang also expected that in addition to thousands of runners, the race would lure a huge number of tourists to the city. And in the future, the marathon would push the sport practice movement and lift the tourism and service sectors in Hải Phòng. VNS