7,200 runners to race in Da Nang Marathon
A runner in the last year’s Manulife Da Nang International Marathon. (Source: VNA)
Da Nang (VNS/VNA) - More than 7,000 domestic and foreign runners from 52 countries and territories will race in the 2018 Manulife Da Nang International Marathon – one of the top marathon destinations in Southeast Asia – on August 12.
The organisers, the World Marathon Company and
Pulse Active, said at a press conference on August 7 that since 2013, each
marathon has had a record number of entries.
It said 900 runners had registered in the
full-marathon 42km, 1,700 athletes have signed up for the 21km event, and more
than 1,000 people will take part in the 10km race.
The 5km FunRun has seen as the largest number of
participants in the history of the race with 3,400 runners.
A representative of the race’s organising
committee, Duong Thu Huong said this year will feature 200 children in the
pre-marathon 1km Ronny Dash Gong Cha on August 11.
She said the kid’s race aims to create a fun for
youngsters who accompany with their parents to the event, and all children will
receive medals at the finish.
This year’s race, the 6th edition has the
message ‘Because I love Da Nang’, race from the East Sea Park to cross through
bridges, Tran Thi Ly and Thuan Phuoc, and beach track in Son Tra peninsula.
According to the organising committee, many
prizes worth 300 million VND (13,200 USD) will be awarded for the winners at
the race.
The race will see athletes from the Shonan
International Marathon from Japan, and the two best Vietnamese marathoners
(men’s and women’s divisions) will get free entries for the Shonan
International Marathon on December 12 in Japan this year.
Donors have contributed more than 11,600 USD to
help the poor, the disabled persons and Agent Orange victims before the race
starts this weekend, the race’s organisers said at the press conference.
Huong said a series of environmental protection
activities will be held during the race, while shopping and food stalls are
opened to introduce local lifestyle and culture of the city.
US veteran Dennis Zaborac and members of the
Silver Strider Club from the US will also join the race to promote a healthy
lifestyle and to give a voice to older runners and walkers. They will also
donate to help the underprivileged people during the race.
Meanwhile, the Eat Play Surf also selected the
Manulife Da Nang International Marathon as one of the 10 best marathons to
conquer Southeast Asia and has the most beautiful setting.
Last year, more than 5,700 athletes from 44
countries and territories joined the race, and more than 21,000 USD was raised
for handicapped people and orphans, victims of Agent Orange/dioxin, disabled
people, the Village of Hope and 15 low-income families in the city.
Japan’s Izawa Satoshi and Lany Cardona from the
Philippines 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 marathon
certified by the International Amateur Athletics Association (IAAF) and the
Association of International Marathons and Distance Races.-VNS/VNA