A runner in the last year’s Manulife Da Nang International Marathon. (Source: VNA)
Da Nang (VNS/VNA) - More than 7,000 domesticand foreign runners from 52 countries and territories will race in the 2018Manulife Da Nang International Marathon – one of the top marathon destinationsin Southeast Asia – on August 12.
The organisers, the World Marathon Company andPulse Active, said at a press conference on August 7 that since 2013, eachmarathon has had a record number of entries.
It said 900 runners had registered in thefull-marathon 42km, 1,700 athletes have signed up for the 21km event, and morethan 1,000 people will take part in the 10km race.
The 5km FunRun has seen as the largest number ofparticipants in the history of the race with 3,400 runners.
A representative of the race’s organisingcommittee, Duong Thu Huong said this year will feature 200 children in thepre-marathon 1km Ronny Dash Gong Cha on August 11.
She said the kid’s race aims to create a fun foryoungsters who accompany with their parents to the event, and all children willreceive medals at the finish.
This year’s race, the 6th edition has themessage ‘Because I love Da Nang’, race from the East Sea Park to cross throughbridges, Tran Thi Ly and Thuan Phuoc, and beach track in Son Tra peninsula.
According to the organising committee, manyprizes worth 300 million VND (13,200 USD) will be awarded for the winners atthe race.
The race will see athletes from the ShonanInternational Marathon from Japan, and the two best Vietnamese marathoners(men’s and women’s divisions) will get free entries for the ShonanInternational Marathon on December 12 in Japan this year.
Donors have contributed more than 11,600 USD tohelp the poor, the disabled persons and Agent Orange victims before the racestarts this weekend, the race’s organisers said at the press conference.
Huong said a series of environmental protectionactivities will be held during the race, while shopping and food stalls areopened to introduce local lifestyle and culture of the city.
US veteran Dennis Zaborac and members of theSilver Strider Club from the US will also join the race to promote a healthylifestyle and to give a voice to older runners and walkers. They will alsodonate to help the underprivileged people during the race.
Meanwhile, the Eat Play Surf also selected theManulife Da Nang International Marathon as one of the 10 best marathons toconquer Southeast Asia and has the most beautiful setting.
Last year, more than 5,700 athletes from 44countries and territories joined the race, and more than 21,000 USD was raisedfor handicapped people and orphans, victims of Agent Orange/dioxin, disabledpeople, the Village of Hope and 15 low-income families in the city.
Japan’s Izawa Satoshi and Lany Cardona from thePhilippines won the men’s and women’s 42km in 2017.
The oldest runner of 2017, was Noriko Sakota,72, from Japan, who completed the 42km race in three hours and 35.39 minutes.
The race is the first Vietnamese marathoncertified by the International Amateur Athletics Association (IAAF) and theAssociation of International Marathons and Distance Races.-VNS/VNA
