A runner checks a track on the Hương River bank in Huế City. The city will host the fifth VnExpress Marathon on April 6. VNS Photo Công Thành

HUẾ CITY – More than 12,000 runners will be racing in the fifth VnExpress Marathon Huế in the ancient city, racing around world heritage sites including along the banks of the Hương River, across the Trường Tiền Bridge and skirting the former imperial capital on April 6.

The event’s organisers said runners will be challenged across four distances of 5km, 10km, 21km, along with the full marathon 42km for total cash-prizes of VNĐ1 billion (US$40,000).

There will also be a 700m track for children aged six to 10, the Kun Marathon, which will prelude the main races on April 5.

All runners will start their tracks on Lê Duẩn street early on Sunday morning.

This year’s race will mark the fifth edition in a row that the marathon has been organised in the newly centrally-run city.

Newly-launched Nguyễn Hoàng Bridge spans over the Hương River in Huế City. The bridge is included in the VnExpress Marathon Huế on April 6. Photo courtesy of Huế City's People's committee

Every year more runners have taken part, starting from just 800 in 2020, rising to 3,200 in 2024.

The best results from the full marathon will be sent to the Abbot World Marathon Majors Wanda for qualification places at world events.

The full race route will take in the Noon Gate, Phu Văn Lâu, a two-storey wooden building built in 1818 and the Đập Đá Bridge.

Last year, Edwin Yebei Kiptoo from Kenya and Vietnamese Phạm Thị Hồng Lệ, won the men’s and women’s 42km.— VNS