Marathon 

The first marathoners with their BIB to compete at the VnExpress Marathon Huế 2024. Photos of organisers

HUẾ -- The fourth season of the VnExpress Marathon Huế will feature about 8,000 runners touring through the ancient citadel of Huế's world-renowned landmarks and heritage sites.

Marathoners will compete in four categories ranging from 5km to 42km along with a fun 1km run for about 2,000 children on April 20-21.

Organisers said the routes for this year have been changed but athletes will not miss any of Huế's beautiful sights.

For the first time, all routes will lead them through old roads, bearing historical marks around the citadel area such as Yết Kiêu, Đặng Thái Thân and Đoàn Thị Điểm.

Noon Gate, Quảng Đức Gate, Phu Văn Lâu, a two-storey wooden building built in 1818, Nghinh Lương Đinh Pavilion, a place for king and officials to get some fresh air and view among other are all included.

In the 10km distance, runners will have to pass through Trường Tiền and Dã Viên bridges that cross over the famous Hương River.

Meanwhile, on the 21km and 42km maps, they will discover a new area of Đập Đá -Bridge that links the city centre and Vĩ Dạ Commune. They will run to the suburbs and enjoy the vast rice fields before returning to new urban areas and returning to the old quarter.

High bonuses

The winners of the men's and women's full marathon categories will receive the highest prizes of nearly VNĐ45 million in cash and gifts, which is a huge increased compared to the previous year's amount of VNĐ31 million.

Medals of the fourth VnExpress Marathon Huế.

Bonuses for top places of all categories including age groups have also increased.

Reigning champion Nguyễn Văn Lai targets to defend his top position and hopes to run in 2hr 35min. 

Despite being 37 years old, Lai is still a tough rival as he just won a silver medal at the National Marathon Championship three weeks ago. His personal best is 2.25hr set last year.

He will be challenged by two national team runners Nguyễn Quốc Anh and Đào Minh Thiện and former Triệu Tiến who all want the top position.

"We all want the title in all competitions, amateur and professional," said Quốc Anh who won a race in Phú Thọ Province last week where he set his PR of 2.33hr.

"I always put myself in difficult situations to beat and to rise strong." 

Runners in the 2023 season.

Thiện ran his best of 2.27hr at the National Sports Games in 2022. He has not taken part in full marathon competitions but has been a regular face in shorter distances.

"After a while, I returned to the 42km race track. My opponents are all experienced and strong, so I have to be careful with my tactics," the runner shared and hoped to run under 2.33hr this Sunday.

Luyện ran a best of 2.36hr for a marathon. He aims to improve his standing in Huế after finishing third last season. VNS