The marathon, hosted by Yamaha, will offer a new marathon course from the East Sea Park and along the coastline on Vo Nguyen Giap and Nguyen Tat Thanh Streets, the Rong (Dragon) Bridge, Han River, Son Tra Peninsula, Ngu Hanh Sơn (Marble) Mountains in the 10-year anniversary celebration of the race.

The race’s organisers said it welcomes the participation of the world's top marathoners, including 1,500 foreigners and 10 running clubs representing countries in the region such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong (China), and Malaysia. They will compete in the men’s and women’s 42km, 21km, 10km, 5km, and the Ronny Dash 1.5km for kids aged 3-10.

It said Kenya’s Victor Kipkemei Chepkwony, the most valuable candidate in the full-marathon category with his current personal record of 2:22:15, will aim to break the course record of 2:32:16.

Leo Thi Tinh of the national track and field team with a personal best time of 3:08:28 will eye to win the women's title in the race.

According to the organising committee, this year's race will give out slots to participate in the Kuala Lumpur Marathon, while the fastest male and female Vietnamese athletes in the full marathon category will win slots to the Sydney Marathon.

It said the Sydney Marathon, which is the seventh best of the world's major marathons, will offer an opportunity of joining the top six prestigious marathons in the world.

All runners will be given a 5km warm-up and exchange with each other at the prelude event of the race on the evening of August 4.

In a track check in May, international experts certified all distances to meet the standards of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

The race also collaborates with the sponsor, Yamaha Motor Vietnam, to lead the athletes with eco-friendly electric vehicles as a green promotion for the city. 

Fundraising activities will call for donations from runners to support children at the Hoa Mai Orphanage, a charity organisation that provides education and vocational training for children with disabilities in Da Nang.

The Manulife Da Nang International Marathon is one of the top in Southeast Asia. Last year it raised VND200 million (US$8,700) from donors for the support of orphans, victims of Agent Orange, the disabled, the Village of Hope and poor people in Da Nang.

Last year, Vietnamese marathoners Bui Van Da and Tran Thi Hoa won the men's and women's 42km.

Source: VNS