More than 2,600 runners, including foreigners from 50 countries and territories, took part in the Hanoi International Heritage Marathon 2018 in the capital city on October 21.

The marathon was co-organised by the Dai Bieu Nhan Dan (People’s Deputies) newspaper, the DHA Limited Company and the Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank).

The event was the first international marathon running through Hanoi’s well-known heritages and the main streets of its Old Quarter, creating an unprecedented route of race, said Editor-in-Chief of Dai Bieu Nhan Dan Do Chi Nghia.

It included the 42-km marathon, 21-km half marathon, 10-km and 5-km runs which all start from the Ly Thai To Park, providing the runners an opportunity to race through famous sightseeing spots in Hanoi such as Hoan Kiem Lake, Long Bien Bridge, West Lake, and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, which are part of the capital city’s history and development.

“We want the Hanoi International Heritage Marathon to become a destination for thousands of marathoners both at home and overseas to together inspire a positive lifestyle and experience the beauty of the 1,000-year-old capital city in the fall,” Nghia said.

He expected the run to become an annual event to promote the beauty of Hanoi among international friends and make tourism a local key industry.

Concluding the marathon, organisers granted prizes to the most outstanding runners.

They also took the occasion to donate 50 million VND to the Hanoi Heart Hospital’s fund for a healthy heart. –VNA