Marathon

Athletes test the route of the VTV Phú Quốc Marathon 2025 which will be held on April 6 on the 'Pearl Island' of Việt Nam. Photo of organisers

HÀ NỘI The first VTV Phú Quốc Marathon 2025, which will be held in early April, is not only going to be a competitive sporting event, but will include a music festival and serve as an important promotion for local tourism.

In its inaugural edition, organisers expect to attract about 5,000 local and international runners, who will be treated to all the world's most attractive destinations can offer, from natural spectacular beauty, to delicious local cuisine.

They will compete over four distances of 5km, 10km, 21km and 42km, with the route being assessed as airy, wide, flat and with only a few slopes, ideal for putting in personal bests.

The races, on April 6, will be even more competitive and difficult to predict as a number of national team runners will be pulling on their trainers and running.

Among them are SEA Games champions Nguyễn Thị Oanh, Nguyễn Trung Cường and Lương Đức Phước.

"Under the most brilliant sunrise in Southeast Asia", according to the organisers, runners will pass through white sandy beaches, surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise waters, a UNESCO biosphere reserve with diverse flora and fauna, while being able to enjoy first-class resorts such as Vinpearl and Corona Phú Quốc.

A total of VNĐ650 million (US$250,000) will be delivered to high-ranking athletes in different categories divided separately for local and international runners.

Big bonuses of VNĐ25 million and VNĐ50 million will be presented to those who can set new national records in the 21km and 42km, respectively.

The current records are 1:06:40 and 2:18.43 from the men, and 1:15:10 and 2:39.50 from the women.

Organisers announce the VTV Phú Quốc Marathon 2025 on March 10 in Hà Nội. Photo of Vietcontent

"In addition to being a classy experience for both athletes and spectators, we hope the event will not only be a race. It will also serve as a colourful sports, tourism and music festival on Phú Quốc Island," said VTV Permanent Deputy General Director Đỗ Thanh Hải.

"The marathon will of course promote sporting habits, but also enhancing community connection in meaningful activities. We want to contribute to spreading other values ​​such as the love for Việt Nam's sea and islands".

After experiencing the beautiful Phú Quốc, runners will be immersed in a musical party with plenty of love in the form of a live concert called Sunset Melody.

Acclaimed singers Hà Nhi, Lân Nhã and Tăng Phúc among many other artists promise to bring athletes, supporters and their families an emotional evening.

Participants will have the opportunity to win one of five prizes of electric cars and motorbikes with a total prize value of more than VNĐ1 billion, during the evening's lucky draw.

Phú Quốc will welcome runners with its temperate climate, warm sunshine, rolling mountains, endless green primaeval forests and white sand beaches. Photo of organisers

Phú Quốc, known as the 'Pearl Island' of Việt Nam, is a tropical paradise which has twice received the World Travel Awards title as the 'World's Leading Nature Island Destination'.

Through the race, the organisers hope to raise public awareness about protecting the marine environment and natural landscape of Phú Quốc, thereby contributing to the development of sustainable tourism.

"Kiên Giang Province and Phú Quốc City expect the VTV Phú Quốc Marathon to be well organised and upgraded to become an annual tournament," said Nguyễn Văn Sáu, director of the province's Department of Culture and Sports.

"We will closely coordinate with partners to ensure the tournament is successful, spreading the beautiful image of the island widely and promoting local tourism through an event combining sports,vacation and culture."

The event, scheduled for the tenth day of the third lunar month -- the Hùng King's death anniversary -- is a cooperation event jointly organised by the Việt Nam Television (VTV), Kiên Giang Province's Culture and Sports Department, Việt Nam Athletics Federation, Lions Entertainment JSC, and Vietcontent.

It will be broadcast live on VTV and livestreamed on VTV Phú Quốc Marathon fanpage, along with being shown on VTV's distribution channels. VNS