Up to 2,200 runners from 45 countries and territories took part in the Vietnam Mountain Marathon 2017 (VMM 2017) in Sa Pa town, the northwestern province of Lao Cai, from September 22 to 24.

Runners competing at the Vietnam Mountain Marathon 2017

They include UK Ambassador to Vietnam Giles Lever, who competed in the 70km race, along with a number of professional marathoners in Vietnam and other countries. 

The tourney featured the categories of 100km, 70km, 42km, 21km and 10km distances with courses passing forests, mountains, streams and even ripe rice terraces.

The 100km race began at 10pm of September 22 while the other categories kicked off on September 23.

The winners were awarded at a ceremony held on September 24.

The VMM 2017, the fifth of its kind held in Sa Pa, was organised by the Phu Thinh Co. Ltd, Topas Ecolodge resort in Sa Pa, and the Lao Cai provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

It was part of the Sa Pa Autumn Festival 2017 and also an activity in response to the National Tourism Year 2017, themed “Lao Cai - Northwest”.

VNA