VietNamNet Bridge – A record some 300 people will participate in the annual Tien Phong Newspaper Marathon being held in Ninh Binh Province on Sunday.

Binh Phuoc Province’s runners train in Ninh Binh to prepare for the Tien Phong Newspaper Marathon. — Photo webthethao.vn

According to the organisers, 32 athletes, thrice more than last year, will run the 42.195km category. The remaining will take part in marathons of different distances, categorised for professional and amateur runners.

“We believe the tournament will be competitive with hundreds of participants, many of them from strong teams such as Khanh Hoa, Binh Phuoc and Army,” Nguyen Manh Hung, general referee of the event, said.

“At the event, you will see last year’s winners – Do Quoc Luat (men’s 10km), Pham Thi Hue (women’s 5km), Hoang Thi Thanh (women’s 42.195km) and Bui The Anh (men’s 42.195km) – compete to defend their titles.

“It’s great to know that this is the first time the Tien Phong event has attracted the participation of more than 20 amateurs and one woman, who will compete against professional marathoners,” he said.

At this year’s competition, athletes will get the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful landscape of Nình Binh Province’s Trang An Tourism area, which hosted the film crew of Kong: Skull Islands last year.

Prize money is VND200 million (US$9,000),

The organisers have also invited Viet Nam’s beauty pageant contestants to participate in the event.

Miss Viet Nam 2010 Dang Thi Ngoc Han, First Runner-up of Miss Viet Nam 2016 Ngo Thanh Thanh Tu and other beauties have promised to run on Sunday.

Launched in 1958, the Tien Phong Newspaper Marathon is the oldest event of its kind in Viet Nam. Since its launch, the event has not been held only once in 1980 because of certain reasons.

At its first edition, there were only 72 runners, including three-time Olympic winner Emil Zatopek of Czech Republic. He was also the first foreigner running at the event.

Through 57 competitions, sports officials have discovered several talented athletes such as Bui Luong, Nguyen Van Thuyet, Luu Van Hung, Truong Thanh Hang and Pham Thi Binh. All have been national champions and regional medal holders. 

VNS