Marathon

Edwin Yebei Kiptoo and Nguyễn Văn Lai (right) ran together through most of the VnExpress Marathon Huế 2024. Photos of organisers

HUẾ - Edwin Yebei Kiptoo stole the limelight of the VnExpress Marathon Huế 2024 on Sunday, completing the route two seconds faster than reigning champion Nguyễn Văn Lai.

Both runners broke away from the pack at the beginning. They ran side by side in the first 21km before Kenyan Kiptoo decided to sprint and left his tough rival behind.

He was successfully set a hundred-meter gap with the Việt Nam's former SEA Games champion.

However, he could not maintain this gap in the final kilometres when Lai, who has practised full marathon for only two years but made remarkable progress, drew nearly even with him.

They were again running together at the finish line when Edwin's longer legs helped him to cross the finish line in a time of 2hr 30.41min, just seconds faster than Lai.

Another Kenyan Kimutai Hillary Kipchumba came third, clocking 2:36.04.

It was the first time that Kiptoo joined the marathon in Huế. He just won the Tây Hồ Half Marathon in Hà Nội on April 14.

In the women's event, former national team runner Phạm Thị Hồng Lệ did not have a worthy rival when reigning champion Phạm Thị Bình did not come to defend her title. Lệ ran solo to the finish line without any threat from others.

She took her the title in 2:55.44, followed by Nông Thị Chang (3:00.18) and Lê Thị Lam (3:10.17).

Phạm Thị Huệ wins the women's 21km despite injuries.

In the half marathon event, Triệu Tiến Luyện overcame strong attacks of a least four runners on the way to the finish line. But with experience as a former national runner, he sprinted to take his first gold in the VnExpress Marathon series in 1:13:27.

Last year, Luyện ran in the full marathon event and claimed a bronze.

Marlon Pabillaran of the Philippines and Trịnh Minh Tâm came second and third, respectively.

Returning to the tournament after two years, Phạm Thị Huệ enjoyed a sweet result to best the women's 21km.

She ran comfortably throughout the race maintaining same pace from beginning to the end with a time of 1:24.10.

In 2022 Huệ ran in the 42km and set a new tournament record. This year, she ran a shorter distance because of injuries.

"It is my most emotional title. I have never taken part in an event without practicing like this time. A few weeks ago, I felt pain and thought I couldn't run. Prior to this race I thought I would slowly walk to the finish line. However, when I run I hope to win for myself and not give up," Huệ said. "The most important thing is to win over myself."

Doãn Thị Oanh and Trần Thị Duyên were the runners-up.

In the 10km class, Trần Đình Hào and Lê Thị Thanh Quỳnh were men's and women's champions, while Trần Minh Quý and Hồ Thị Thu Hà topped the 5km categories, respectively.

The fourth VnExpress Marathon Huế featured more than 8,000 runners vying for big bonuses and enjoying the beauty of the ancient citadel which was home to five UNESCO heritages. VNS