Marathon 

Runners seen racing at the VnExpress Marathon Amazing Hạ Long 2023. This year, the event is organised on September 22. Photos courtesy of VnExpress Marathon

QUẢNG NINH — The annual VnExpress Marathon Amazing Hạ Long 2024 is restarted on September 22 after a two-week delay because of the Typhoon Yagi in Quảng Ninh Province.

The tournament feature more than 9,000 runners who take part in the 42km, 21km, 10km, and 5km distance along with a 1km-race entitled Kun Marathon for about 1,500 children from six to 10 years old on September 21. 

Kids take part in the Kum Marathon event on September 21 morning.

 Athletes in the marathon category will start at the Vinhomes Square in Hồng Gai Commune. They will run along Trần Quốc Nghiễn beach road, cross famous Bãi Cháy Bridge, enjoy the moment of sunrise on world heritage Hạ Long Bay with thousands of undulating rocky mountains and witness the vibrant and bustling Cửa Lục Bay.

Runners of the rest categories will race from the Sun Square in Bãi Cháy Commune. Their courses are designed to help them taste the beach fresh air through Võ Nguyên Giáp  and Hoàng Quốc Việt streets. The flat routes are ideal condition for them to set new personal best records. 

Athletes check in for the VnExpress Marathon Amazing Hạ Long on September 20.

 Speaking at a press conference on September 20, Ngô Mạnh Cường, deputy head of the organising committee, said it was the first major event in Quảng Ninh after the super storm that caused heavy damage to tourism, infrastructure, and the local economy.

Organising the tournament two weeks after the storm was a great effort on the part of local departments and agencies when they had to spend resources to speed up the recovery process and ensure safe and attractive competition conditions for runners.

However, the tournament still received strong support from the community proofing by the participation of more than 9,000 competitors who would feel the strong spirit of local people and authority to return to normal life after the natural disaster. 

A huge bonus of more than VNĐ 1 billion (US$40,700) is available for best marathoners. VNS