Over 10,000 runners join VPBank Hanoi Marathon 2022

The VPBank Hanoi Marathon 2022 started in the early morning of October 16. Taking place for the first time under the name of Hanoi International Heritage Marathon, the 2018 race attracted the attention of nearly 3,000 athletes and running enthusiasts from Vietnam and all over the world. The VPBank Hanoi Marathon is Vietnam's leading professional marathon, held annually in October in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Exclusively endorsed by the People's Committee of Hanoi, the municipal government, it is the only official marathon event of the city. Its title sponsor is the Vietnam Prosperity Joint-Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank), a leading lender in Vietnam. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

According to the race’s organizer, more than 10,000 runners registered to participate in the race. Among them, up to 3,000 are resolved to conquer the 42-km full distance, the largest number of any marathons in Vietnam. The number of participants in the VPBank Hanoi Marathon has been increasing over the years. From nearly 3,000 in the first version in 2018, the turnout more than doubled to 7,000 runners from more than 50 nationalities in 2019. However, the event had to be scaled down in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The VPBank Hanoi Marathon is Vietnam's leading professional marathon held annually in October in Hanoi. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The race begins at 4am at the Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square. The VPBank Hanoi Marathon is a one-of-a-kind event that serves as both a traditional marathon, as well as a unique tour of the six major districts and almost all historical and cultural landmarks of the Old Quarter of Hanoi, allowing the runners to discover the peaceful, charming, and historic city with 11 heritages and landmarks they can’t miss. In 2019 the municipal authority declared the competition "the Official International Marathon of Hanoi", seeking to place the event on the world's map of major marathons, along with those in Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York City and Tokyo. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The VPBank Hanoi Marathon 2022 draws more than 1,000 foreign athletes and meets international standards. The VPBank Hanoi Marathon has been accredited by World Athletics, officially certified by Grade A Measurers of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and affiliated with the Vietnam Athletics Federation (VAF). The marathon has been an AIMS official member since 2019. In 2020, as Vietnam took the chairmanship of ASEAN, the race was selected as the official marathon of the 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship and launched under a new name: "VPBank Hanoi Marathon ASEAN 2020". The event has joined the Age Group Ranking System of Abbott World Marathon Majors, counting from 2022. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Runners run past Dong Xuan Market, a well-known market in the Old Quarter of Hanoi. Built in 1889, Dong Xuan is one of the oldest and biggest markets in the old quarter of Hanoi – Vietnam’s capital. It is a symbol, a traditional feature and the pride of all Hanoians. The market sells almost everything from souvenirs, clothes, household goods to foodstuffs. VPBank Hanoi Marathon is a one-of-a-kind event that serves as both a traditional marathon, as well as a unique tour of the six major districts and almost all historical and cultural landmarks of the Old Quarter of Hanoi, allowing the runners to discover the peaceful, charming, and historic city with 11 heritages and landmarks. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

O Quan Chuong, an ancient city’s gate, is a historical relic on the running course. Situated in the middle of modern Hanoi, O Quan Chuong used to be a security checkpoint for the commercial district of ancient Hanoi, what is now known as the Old Quarter. It was named after a chief of the army in order to honor him and other Nguyen soldiers who fought in the war against the French colonialists. The marathon is a unique tour of the six major districts and almost all historical and cultural landmarks of the Old Quarter of Hanoi, allowing the runners to discover the peaceful, charming, and historic city. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Runners run past the building of the State Bank of Vietnam. The VPBank Hanoi Marathon is a unique tour of the six major districts and almost all historical and cultural landmarks of the Old Quarter of Hanoi, allowing the runners to discover the peaceful, charming, and historic city. The VPBank Hanoi Marathon is Vietnam's leading professional marathon which has been held annually in October in Hanoi. Exclusively endorsed by the People's Committee of Hanoi, the municipal government, it is the only official marathon event of the city. Its title sponsor is the Vietnam Prosperity Joint-Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank), a leading lender in Vietnam. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Runners in front of Trang Tien Plaza, a downtown shopping centre near Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart of the city. Located on the most advantageous position in Hanoi, in the golden central area of the capital city, Trang Tien Plaza is one of the oldest shopping centres in Vietnam. The building bears the mark of French architectural style, elegant, luxurious but equally delicate. The running courses take runners through the six major districts and almost all historical and cultural landmarks of Hanoi. In 2019 the municipal authority declared the competition "the Official International Marathon of Hanoi", seeking to place the event on the world's map of major marathons, along with those in Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York City and Tokyo. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Runners pose for a selfie together. Many strategic changes have been made in the organization of the VPBank Hanoi Marathon 2022 to use the event to highlight Hanoi’s historical and cultural values. The event is exclusively endorsed by the People's Committee of Hanoi as the only official marathon event of the city. Its title sponsor is the Vietnam Prosperity Joint-Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank), a leading lender in Vietnam. The VPBank Hanoi Marathon 2022 carries the message of ‘Brighten up Vietnam’. Sports in general, and especially marathons in particular, have a special role as a tool to attract more foreign tourists to run and make discovery tours, said the head of the organising committee, Nguyen Tri, General Director of DHA Vietnam. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

All tracks for the four distances in the VPBank Hanoi Marathon have been measured and qualified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). VPBank Hanoi Marathon has been accredited by the World Athletics, officially certified by Grade A Measurers of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and affiliated with the Vietnam Athletics Federation (VAF). The marathon has become an AIMS official member since 2019. The event has joined the Age Group Ranking System of Abbott World Marathon Majors, counting from 2022. Between 2018 and 2020, the marathon had a loop course, starting and finishing at Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi's centermost landmark. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The running course takes runners across the Cot Co Ha Noi (The Flag Tower of Hanoi). The Flag Tower of Hanoi was built in the early 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the last dynasty of Vietnam. This is also the best preserved historical landmark of Hanoi. 2022 is also the first year VPBank Hanoi Marathon has joined the Age Group Ranking System of Abbott World Marathon Majors. Its results can be used to qualify at any of the World Six Majors, including the prestigious Boston Marathon. The VPBank Hanoi Marathon, held annually in October in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is Vietnam's leading professional marathon. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Runners run past Quan Thanh Temple, known as one of Hanoi’s four sacred temples which were built to worship four protectors in four directions. The temple was built in the 11th century. The ancient capital of Thang Long citadel or Hanoi Capital has a history of more than 1,000 years. It still retains its precious heritages. Apart from the hustle and bustle Old Quarter area with its unique architecture and lifestyle, urbanization is aggressively expanding. The VPBank Hanoi Marathon 2022 carries the message of ‘Brighten up Vietnam’, which is a warm greeting from the capital of Vietnam to both Vietnamese and foreign friends. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The scene of thousands of athletes running in the sunlight past Hanoi’s historical and cultural landmarks is a perfect image of a prosperous Vietnam. VPBank Hanoi Marathon is not merely a marathon race. It has become a symbolic race of Hanoi, a festival of not only domestic runners but also athletes from other countries who want to experience the beauty of the Vietnamese capital city. The ancient capital of Thang Long citadel or Hanoi Capital has a history of more than 1,000 years. It still retains its precious heritages. Apart from the hustle and bustle Old Quarter area with its unique architecture and life style, urbanization is aggressively expanding. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The organisers will present a special prize of the "Golden Run" trophy to athletes who break the National Record. Besides, there will be the first, second, and third prizes for men and women in full marathon, 21 km and 10 km distances; the first, second and third prizes of the movement for the final distance of 42 km; awards by age with a total prize value of more than 500 million VND. The VPBank Hanoi Marathon is Vietnam's leading professional marathon held annually in October in Hanoi. Exclusively endorsed by the People's Committee of Hanoi, the municipal government, it is the only official marathon event of the city. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Runners on the road along Truc Bach Lake. According to DHA Vietnam Company, the highlight of VPBank Hanoi Marathon 2022 is the running courses which take runners on a unique tour through the six major districts and almost all historical and cultural landmarks of Hanoi. Starting from Hoan Kiem Lake (the Lake of Returned Sword), marathoners will run past mossy, ancient street corners, admiring the historical sites of the thousand-year-old capital such as West Lake; O Quan Chuong, the last remaining city wall gate; Temple of Literature, Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh, Ba Dinh Square and the relic of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. The competition takes place when Hanoi is in autumn, with ideal cool and pleasant weather conditions. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

To draw up running courses connecting famous landmarks and going through streets bearing the unique characteristics of the capital city, the organizers had to research for many months, conducted hundreds of field inspections and discussed with relevant agencies plans to ensure runners’ safety as well as smooth normal traffic in areas the courses go through, said DHA Vietnam General Director Nguyen Tri. The VPBank Hanoi Marathon is part of the Heritage Race system, owned and organized annually by DHA Vietnam. The system comprises of the VPBank Hanoi Marathon in October, the Halong Bay Heritage Marathon in November and the Can Tho Marathon - A Heritage Race in December. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The VPBank Hanoi Marathon takes place when Hanoi is in autumn, with cool and pleasant weather conditions which is ideal for races. The VPBank Hanoi Marathon is part of the Heritage Race system, owned and organized annually by DHA Vietnam. The system comprises of the VPBank Hanoi Marathon in October, the Halong Bay Heritage Marathon in November and the Can Tho Marathon - A Heritage Race in December. The VPBank Hanoi Marathon is Vietnam's leading professional marathon which has been held annually in October in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Exclusively endorsed by the People's Committee of Hanoi, the municipal government, it is the only official marathon event of the city. Its title sponsor is the Vietnam Prosperity Joint-Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank). (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Runners arrive at the Finish line. The VPBank Hanoi Marathon 2022 sees the participation of more than 10,000 runners, including over 1,000 from other countries. Among them, 3,000 have registered for the 42km course, the largest number to ever sign up for the full marathon even in a marathon in Vietnam. The event carries a message of Brighten up Vietnam, as an exciting greeting from Hanoi to all participants. The head of the organising committee, Nguyen Tri, General Director of DHA Vietnam, said the VPBank Hanoi Marathon wants to convey the cultural beauty of the nation to the world, attracting a large number of visitors to witness a post-pandemic healthy Vietnam, rich in traditional culture and recovering strongly and full of vitality. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The joy of athletes when completing their race. Not only is it meant to promote the sports movement and improve the physical health of the Vietnamese people, the VPBank Hanoi Marathon also focuses on conveying the cultural beauty of the nation to the world, attracting a large number of visitors to witness a post-pandemic healthy Vietnam, rich in traditional culture and recovering strongly and full of vitality, said the head of the organising committee, Nguyen Tri, General Director of DHA Vietnam. The race serves as both a traditional marathon, as well as a unique tour of the six major districts and almost all historical and cultural places of the Old Quarter of Hanoi, allowing the runners to discover the peaceful, charming, and historic city. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

A Japanese participant in the VPBank Hanoi Marathon. More than 1,000 foreigners participate in the event, which carries a message of Bighten up Vietnam, as an exciting greeting from Hanoi to all participants. VPBank Hanoi Marathon has been accredited by the World Athletics, officially certified by Grade A Measurers of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and affiliated with the Vietnam Athletics Federation (VAF). The marathon has become an AIMS official member since 2019. The event has joined the Age Group Ranking System of Abbott World Marathon Majors, counting from 2022. The VPBank Hanoi Marathon is also part of the Heritage Race system, owned and organised annually by DHA Vietnam. (Photo: VietnamPlus)