VnExpress Marathon can become top race in region: athletics chief

In face he was one of the 10,000 runners participating in the VnExpress Marathon Sparkling Quy Nhon on June 11.

He registered for the 10 km race. Starting at 4:30 a.m., he and thousands of others ran on Xuan Dieu Road along the coast at dawn, enjoying the cool breeze from the sea.

He was impressed with the large number of participants, the beautiful coastal track and professional organization.

He says: “VnExpress Marathon is one of the biggest running events in Vietnam. Participating in the event for the first time, I could see the excitement it generates.”

Nguyen Manh Hung, General Secretary of the Vietnam Athletics Federation. Photo by VnExpress/Pham Chieu

Vietnam’s top athletics official praises the organizers for their excellent support for runners, what with water stations, security and safety on the track and others.

There were water, medical and sanitation booths one after the other, and colorful signs with information about the weather and light conditions to guide runners.

Hung thinks if a little bit more is done in terms of security, support, doping tests, and promotion to attract foreign runners, the VnExpress Marathon could become a world-class event.

“In the near future VnExpress Marathon can easily match the ‘6 majors’ – the top 6 races in Southeast Asia.”

Le Thi Hoang Yen, deputy director of the General Department of Physical Education and Sports, also ran the 10 km race at this year’s VnExpress Marathon.

She says the race is generally organized in famous tourist destinations on lovely routes, making it easy to attract runners, she points out.

Le Thi Hoang Yen, Deputy Director of the General Department of Physical Education and Sports, at VM Quy Nhon 2023. Photo courtesy of VM

She says she is excited that Shelmith Nyawira Muriuki, a Kenyan, won the race.

“Their presence created a healthy competitive environment, and in the long run will improve the performance of Vietnamese runners.”

With an average of 10,000 runners taking part in the seven races organized each year, the VnExpress Marathon has become influential, helping people of all ages and classes gradually take to sports and care about their health.

The Vietnam Athletics Federation says it plans to adopt a set of standards for marathons to rank them.

Hung adds: “We consider development of movements a good basis for sports to creep into every aspect of people’s lives.

“From that many young athletes can be discovered and fostered to create successful runners.”