Marathoners to race along coast track in Đà Nẵng

Participants celebrate after the finish line at Đà Nẵng International Marathon Race last year. — VNS Photo Công Thành

ĐÀ NẴNG — More than  五,000 athletes and tourists will race this Sunday in the annual Manulife Đà Nẵng International Marathon, one of the biggest sport events in central Việt Nam.

The race’s organisers told Việt Nam News that this year’s race will offer four categories: full marathon ( 四 二km), half marathon ( 二 一km), a  一0km run and a  五km (Zody Food 五K) run.

Participants will get chance to taste cuisine at Zody food court at the East Sea Park on the coast of Đà Nẵng after the race.

The marathon will prelude the  二0 一 七 Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) su妹妹it in Đà Nẵng, which will take place on November  五- 一 一.

The race promises to give runners a memorable experience, from allowing them to enjoy the amazing sunrise to seeing the sights and sounds of the city as it wakes up.

Marathoners will pass through five different bridges in Đà Nẵng and explore the stunning coastline of the city.

As planned, a Sports Day will prelude the race from  九am till  一0pm on Saturday, offering many interesting participation activities.

The event will include a charity portion to help those in need. All the money raised will be given to support handicapped and orphans, Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, disabled people, the Village of Hope and  一 五 low-income families in the city.

The Silver Strider Club, which is composed of ‘runners and walkers over  五0’, will also join the race to promote a healthy lifestyle and to give a voice to older runners and walkers.

“We are proud to bring a Marathon to Đà Nẵng, and we see it as our mission to contribute to a healthier and more active sporting co妹妹unity and to the tourism and sport development of our country,” said Bady Phạm, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Pulse Active.

“This race, the  五th of its kind, will mark this special occasion and welcome participants from all over the globe,” Phạm said.

Last year’s race, which drew over  四,000 runners and their families, saw Japanese marathoners Kentaro Masuda and Kyoko Otsuka win the men’s and women’s titles.

The race, organised by the city, the World Marathon Company and Pulse Active, is the first Vietnamese marathon certified by the International Amateur Athletics Association (IAAF) and the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races.

Competitors can register race through www.rundanang.com. — VNS