Phúc, Vĩnh win Sơn Trà Run Challenge

Nguyễn Thị Thanh Phúc takes the victory podium for the women's 26km Sơn Trà Mountain Race. Phúc won the first prize in one hour and 58.32 minutes. Photo courtesy of VTV8

ĐÀ NẴNG — Nguyễn Thị Thanh Phúc and Võ Xuân Vĩnh won the women’s and men’s 26km of the VTV8 Sơn Trà Run Challenge – The Race in the Clouds, on Sơn Trà Mountain track, the first ever run on the mountain, marking an amazing Christmas Eve on December 24.

Phúc, a national walker and London Olympics 2012 competitor, clocked the time of one hour 58.32 minutes to win the women’s prize and a gift on Christmas season.

She beat Nguyễn Thị Nguyệt, who finished second in 2hr4.35min, and Lê Thị Phương, in third with a time of 2hr9.37min.

A runner takes on a sloping section in the Sơn Trà Mountain Race in Đà Nẵng City. About 1,500 athletes challenged the first ever mountain marathon event on December 24. Photo courtesy of VTV8

In the men’s race, Võ Xuân Vĩnh completed the uphill track in 1hr38.7min to take home first prize, edging out Huỳnh Ngọc Trai, who ranked second at 1hr39.45min, and Nguyễn Minh Tuấn, third place, with 1hr44.42min.

Nông Thị Quỳnh Như saved a time of 1hr3.49min to finish first in the women’s 16km on the wet, cold day, while Nguyễn Thị Hạnh and Thái Thị Kim Ngân ranked second and third, respectively.

A man dressed as Santa Claus waits at the finish line to celebrate with finishers at the VTV8 Sơn Trà Run Challenge – The Race in the Clouds, on Sơn Trà Mountain track. Photo courtesy of VTV8

Trần Đình Hào took the men’s division with a time of 54.39min, while national walker Nguyễn Thành Ngưng finished second in 56.30min, and Hà Minh Huy took third in 59.34min.

In the 6km category, Nguyễn Thị Khánh Ly and Mai Quốc Tiến grabbed the first prizes for the women’s and men’s competition.

The first VTV8-organised race drew 1,500 runners to compete in the cool air and foggy scenery of Sơn Trà Nature Reserve track in Đà Nẵng City.

The event also promotes communication on the protection of biodiversity of Sơn Trà primary forest and environment in the most favoured tourism destination in the city. VNS