Marathon

Miss World Vietnam 2019 Lương Thùy Linh (centre) and former SEA Games champion Hoàng Nguyên Thanh (1st right) are ambassadors for the Strong Việt Nam Marathon 2024. Photos courtesy of Sen Vàng

VŨNG TÀU Despite being a debut event to be held in Bà Rịa Vũng Tàu Province, the marathon Strong Việt Nam Vũng Tàu 2024 is expected to welcome more than 10,000 runners this September.

Representing the Vũng Tàu City People's Committee [municipal administration], the Việt Nam Athletics Federation and Sen Vàng Company, the event is not simply a sporting challenge, but a large-scale cultural and tourism draw for the city.

Nguyễn Thị Thu Hương, vice chairwoman of the Vũng Tàu City People's Committee and member of the organising board, said the most beautiful streets and roads would be included in the four courses -- 5km, 10km, 21km and 42km -- of the race to be run on September 20-21.

The city leader said athletes would run on safe and clean courses which allow them to discover all the beauty of Vũng Tàu, running between the sea and a mountain of flowers, enjoying the hospitality of local people.

Outdoor stages with performances from musicians and dancers will entertain tourists and encourage the runners thoughout the race.

Contestants of Mr World Vietnam will compete in the Strong Việt Nam Marathon.

“Health always comes from practising sports, while there are many different sports, running is the simplest one and everyone can do," said Phạm Kim Dung, general director of Sen Vàng Company. "Therefore, it should be widely spread throughout the community.

“As a rookie in the field of organising marathons, we are honoured to receive the support of partners, brands and runners, especially the support of provincial leaders for the Strong Việt Nam Marathon.

"We vow that this will not stop at being a domestic running race, but will develop further. We hope runners will spread the awareness of an active lifestyle and the importance of running through the most beautiful roads in Vũng Tàu."

Vice President of the Việt Nam Athletics Federation Nguyễn Trung Hinh pledged to ensure a highest level of professionalism to make it a successful event. All cheating activities would be recorded and reported and those found guilty will be banned, not just from this event, but their record sent to organisers of other competitions.

The tournament will have Miss World Vietnam 2019 Lương Thùy Linh and former SEA Games champions Hoàng Nguyên Thanh as its ambassadors.

Tournament director Hoàng Nhật Nam, head of the organising committee, said that there are up to 20 beauty queens and runner-ups and a group of Mr World Vietnam 2024 participating in the run.

“Many beauty queens and celebrities are part of running community now. They will be our runners this time. Their participation will encourage people to run, spreading the theme of a Strong Việt Nam to sports lovers in general, and marathons in particular," he said. VNS