Culture - Sports

Da Nang International Marathon 2026 draws nearly 9,000 runners

This year’s event is estimated to generate approximately 142 billion VND (5.4 million USD) for the city’s economy, with 5.1 million USD contributed by international participants.

At the opening ceremony of 2026 Da Nang International Marathon (Photo: VNA)
At the opening ceremony of 2026 Da Nang International Marathon (Photo: VNA)

Da Nang (VNA) – The 2026 Da Nang International Marathon officially kicked off on March 20, drawing nearly 9,000 domestic and international runners.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Tao Viet Hai said that after more than a decade, the tournament has established itself as one of the region’s premier races, featuring a course widely regarded as one of the most scenic in Asia.

The event not only promotes a culture of fitness and sports but also helps showcase Da Nang as a dynamic, friendly city with strong tourism potential, the official said.

Nearly 3,200 international runners join this year’s race, up 18% from 2025, marking Vietnam’s largest marathon by global participation in its 13-year history.

High-performing international athletes such as Saito Takuya and Ritsuro Adachi from Japan, and Richard Pfaller from Germany, will compete alongside Vietnamese elites including Pham Thi Binh, Thai Thi Kim Ngan, Nguyen Thi Tra Giang and Trieu Thi Binh.

The main race categories, the full and half marathon, will start at 3am and 4.30am respectively on March 22, followed by the 5km fun run at 6am.

This year’s event is estimated to generate approximately 142 billion VND (5.4 million USD) for the city’s economy, with 5.1 million USD contributed by international participants. This figure includes spending on accommodation, food and airfare, excluding additional expenses such as shopping and tourism services.

Held annually since 2013, the marathon continues to play a key role in connecting sports with tourism and contributing to local economic growth.

Last year, Vietnamese marathoners Huynh Anh Khoi and Pham Thi Binh won the men’s and women’s full-marathon divisions.

The Da Nang International Marathon was also the first Vietnamese marathon certified by the International Amateur Athletics Association (IAAF) and the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races./.

VNA
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