LONGING TO RUN: People run in the Tiền Phong Marathon 2024. This year's championship will be held on March 28-30 in Quảng Trị Province. Photos of organisers

HÀ NỘI -- The National Marathon and Long-distance Running Championship, the Tiền Phong Marathon, will be challenging for all levels of runners during its 66th edition later this month in Đông Hà City, Quảng Trị Province.

The three-day tournament, which will take place from March 28 to 30, is the nation's oldest and most prestigious running event. It was first held in 1958 and hosted by Tiền Phong newspaper.

Over the past few years, the championship has been upgraded to national status, and the elite runners' results are now being considered for possible places in the national teams.

This year, it is coorganised by Tiền Phong, Quảng Trị Province and the Sports Authority of Việt Nam.

As a national event, the championship will feature the fastest runners, including current national team members such as Nguyễn Thị Oanh, Nguyễn Văn Lai, Hoàng Nguyên Thanh, and Hoàng Thị Ngọc Hoa.

Thanh and Oanh are record holders in the men's and women's 21km and 42km categories, respectively.

Thanh is also the reigning male marathon champion, and Hoa is the defending female marathon champion, after their victories in Phú Yên Province.

In addition to the race for the professional athletes, organisers also open the doors to more than 7,000 amateur runners in Quảng Trị this year. They will race in the same routes with the elites in the 42km, 21km, 10km and 5km, vying for a total prize purse of VNĐ700 million in cash and many gifts from sponsors.

Tiền Phong Marathon organisers at the press conference on March 12 in Hà Nội.

The hosts will also be welcoming the top five best runners, regardless their statue of elite or amateur, and of all genders and ages, for special awards on stage.

In addition to individual awards, organisers will also be presenting bonuses to high-ranking delegations.

"I am proud to say that Tiền Phong Marathon is really a different tournament. It is an official race with a long history. It has been organised for 66 years and has never been interrupted despite many difficulties and challenges," said the head of the organising committee and editor-in-chief of Tiền Phong, Phùng Công Sưởng.

"It is the only race that has two disciplines, for elite and amateur runners, and always attracts the national best marathoners. Our various competition destinations plan is part of our goal to educate and inspire love for country, helping people not only physically but also mentally healthy.

"It is also chance for localities to popularise their culture, history and beauty to the wider community," he said.

This year the Tiền Phong Marathon brings athletes to Quảng Trị to visit many famous historic sites and landmarks on their way to the finish line on the main race day March 30.

They include the Hiền Lương Bridge which spans Bến Hải River and which divided the north and south of Việt Nam during the American War, the ancient citadel of Quang Tri by the bank of the sacred Thạch Hãn River (one of the sites of one of the most fierce battles during the US war) and the Cửa Tùng Beach -- known as the 'Queen of beaches' of Việt Nam.

The marathon will began on March 28, also alongside many special events, such as offering incense to commemorate heroic martyrs at Trường Sơn Cemetery, Road 9 Cemetery, Quảng Trị Citadel and a flower lantern ceremony on Thạch Hãn River to pay tribute to the soldiers who devoted their youth to the cause of national independence, freedom and unification.

A flag will be raised on March 29 at the special historical relic site Hiền Lương - Bến Hải, a place considered a symbol of the country's longing for unification.

Along with races and ceremonies, the organisers will also be holding a special charity event, giving away houses in to poor families of the province in response to the Government's call to eliminate substandard homes. VNS