Marathon

Hoàng Nguyên Thanh will take part in the 50th BMW Berlin Marathon 2024 which will be held on September 29. VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Hoàng Nguyên Thanh will be the only representative from Việt Nam's national team at the prestigious BMW Berlin Marathon 2024, which will be held on September 29.

Thanh qualified for the event, which is one of six World Marathon Majors, when the won the Mekong Delta Marathon 2023 with a time of 2:37.04.

At the 50th BMW Berlin Marathon, which is set to offer a thrilling competition for elite runners, Thanh will be among 55,000 tough competitors.

The men's division features 14 athletes who have completed marathons in under 2:06.00, though no clear favourite has emerged. Last year, Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya topped the ranking table, clocking 2:02.42, but he will not defend his title this year.

On the women's side, Ethiopia's Tigist Ketema stands out with her impressive debut time of 2:16.07, positioning her as the ninth fastest female marathoner. The event boasts 10 other women who have finished in under 2:22.00.

Historically, the BMW Berlin Marathon has seen 13 world records shattered, underscoring its reputation as one of the globe's premier marathons.

Thanh is currently the national champion. He took part in the Asian championships in January and finished just after 2:18.43, setting a new national record.

Hoàng Nguyên Thanh leaves for Berlin Marathon on September 25. —Photo Nexus Sport Events

Coach Trần Đoàn Minh Thiện said Thanh's plan has been ready for months and he has been given the right conditions to reach his best result yet in Berlin.

"Personally, it seems like the biggest dream of my life has come true," said Thanh.

"I have been dreaming of the Berlin route since I was a little boy running on roads that were filled with soil and gravel in my hometown. The dream really hit home for me when I trained with the national team and when I took part in competitions.

"I wish to run on the same route as my idol - Kipchoge - who has become a marathon legend. Running at the Berlin Marathon will bring me great personal satisfaction and happiness. I will not waste a single second on this occasion," he said.

The former SEA Games champion said he hopes to shorten his time to under 2:15.00, noting that his run would inspire the national marathon community and nurture people's dreams of running in an Olympics in the future.

Apart from Thanh, many other Vietnamese runners also take part in the event as amateurs. Among them are Thái Thu Trang and Nguyễn Đông Định, the well-known running couple of Việt Nam, and SEA Games duathlon champion Phạm Tiến Sản. —VNS