Marathon

Phạm Thị Hồng Lệ crosses the finish line of the Tây Hồ Half Marathon 2024's women's 21km class on April 14. — Photos of Vũ Media

HÀ NỘI — Kiptoo Edwin and Phạm Thị Hồng Lệ set new records at the fourth Tây Hồ Half Marathon 2024 on April 14 in Hà Nội.

Kenyan Edwin finished the men's 21km in a time of 1hr 11.10min to set a new record in the tournament. The old one was 1:13.54 set by Bùi Văn Dũng in the 2021 edition.

SEA Games 3,000m steeplechase Nguyễn Trung Cường came second with a time of 1:12.08, followed by Hứa Thuận Long at 1:15.47.

In the women's event, former SEA Games champion Lệ left all others behind to lead from the front from the beginning. She clocked 1:18.49, a new record beating one of 1:24.16 set by national team runner Bùi Thị Thu Hà last year.

Hà was second with a time of 1:20.19. Trương Thị Loan finished third after 1:29.46.

In the 15km class, Đoàn Thị Hằng won the women's title (56.52min) while Lê Văn Thao topped the men's podium (49.52). Both are national athletes.

Kiptoo Edwin wins men's 21km and sets new record of 1hr 11.10min.

Organisers also delivered awards to the winners of the men's and women's 5km, Lương Đức Phước and Lê Thị Thanh Nga and champions of age groups.

A Kids Run the Earth featured 2,000 children in three distances of 700m, 1,500m and 3km.

In addition to awards for the top-place athletes, runners who set new records in the men's and women's 21km classes will receive special prizes up to VNĐ130 million (US$5,300) in cash and gifts.

Bùi Thị Lan Phương, vice chairwoman of the district's People's Committee and head of the organising committee said: “After four years, the Tây Hồ Half Marathon is a highlight of the sports competitions in Tây Hồ District.

"It not only pushes the development of local sport but also encourages people to train in sports for better health.

"Hopefully this annual race will be a meaningful event for lovers of running and the entire community across the country."

The 2024 Tây Hồ Half Marathon featured a record of more than 10,000 runners in three distance categories. The tournament was jointly held by the Tây Hồ District's People's Committee and Vũ Media under the strong support of the BIM Group. — VNS