Marathon  

Runners at the second Techcombank Hanoi International Marathon 2023. Photo courtesy of Sunrise Events Vietnam

 HÀ NỘI – The Techcombank Hanoi International Marathon has been chosen as one of the key sporting events to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the capital's liberation.

The recognition as one of the official races of the city is a testament to the efforts of the organisers in partnership with the city to establish a prestigious, high-quality and professional marathon comparable to major races in the region and the world.

With the message 'Run for a Greater Việt Nam', the marathon seeks to inspire healthy, active lifestyles in the community while showcasing Hà Nội's rich cultural heritage and potential as a premier sports tourism destination to international friends.

Over the past two runs, held in 2022 and 2023, the race achieved remarkable milestones with the participation of over 16,000 athletes from nearly 40 countries, setting many new records.

The third edition tournament is set to take place on September 13-15. It is recognised by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS).

The 2024 season is expected to attract the largest number of participants ever, including top international and domestic athletes, celebrities, business people and a large number of residents from the capital and across the country.

“As we celebrate 70 years of liberation, Hà Nội aims to promote various activities comprehensively, from grassroots movements to high-performance sports," said Phạm Xuân Tài, deputy director of the city Department of Culture and Sports.

"The third Techcombank Hanoi International Marathon in 2024 is a key event, demonstrating our determination to elevate the nation’s sports achievements on the international stage while providing a fantastic opportunity to promote sports tourism to the world.”

Meanwhile, Thái Minh Diễm Tú, marketing director of Techcombank, title sponsor of the event, said: “With the message 'Run for a Greater Việt Nam', we aim to spread the spirit of healthy living, fostering resilience and perseverance to constantly exceed personal limits, thereby creating a foundation for a more outstanding version of ourselves and contributing to building a strong and prosperous Việt Nam.

"We aspire to continue creating meaningful and practical experiences for the community through our ongoing commitment to the Techcombank Hanoi International Marathon."

With the theme 'Honouring Heritage through Every Step', the marathon will lead runners through special heritage route, passing 39 historical landmarks of the capital, such as Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Hà Nội Opera House, Hồ Chí Minh’s Mausoleum and Long Biên Bridge.

As an international standard marathon, the Techcombank Hanoi International Marathon participants can also use their results to qualify for the six major world marathons including the Boston, Chicago and New York City Marathons.

“The organising committee is committed to raising operational standards each year, aiming to scale and enhance the event to match the best marathons in the region," said Rob Zamacona, General Manager of Sunrise Events Vietnam. 

"We prioritise athletes' safety while continuously improving our organisation to ensure the best experience for our athletes and attendees, making the Techcombank Hanoi International Marathon a memorable race for all participants.” VNS