People and children join last year's Hanoi International Heritage Marathon hosted by VPBank. (Photo courtesy of the organisers) Hanoi (VNA) - Thousands of runners from across the world will participatein the VPBank Hanoi Marathon ASEAN 2020 (VPHM) on October 18.
To complybetter social distancing, the race organising committee has decided to trim thesize of the event from the expected 8,000 to 10,000 people to 5,500people, of which 3,000 will join the race directly in Hanoi and about 2,500will compete at mini race spots throughout the country, in ASEAN and some othercountries.
The startline is located in front of Ba Kieu Temple in Hoan Kiem district and VPHM willtake runners through six Hanoi districts, with tracks going past heritages andarchitectural works such as the Old Quarter, Long Bien Bridge, West Lake, HoChi Minh Mausoleum and several historic buildings part of the capitalcity’s history and development.
Runnerscompeting in the VPHM categories will start every two hours.
The starttimes will begin at 00:00 on October 18 for the 42km full marathon, at3am for the 21km half marathon, at 4.30am for the 10km distance and at 8amfor the 5km category.
There arealso multiple slots for starting at each time to ensure the marathon is safefor all.
“With theslogan 'Meet sunrise - Welcome to New Normal', the VPHM has become the officialevent of the ASEAN 2020 Chairmanship, and it will also be the first large-scalecommunity activity to mark a new period, a 'new normal' life after theCOVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam as well as in the entire ASEAN bloc,” said arepresentative of the organisers.
“When mostinternational marathons have been postponed or cancelled, the successfulorganisation of the VPHM carries a special meaning for Vietnam's image, showinga safe country, ready to open doors for integration and welcome foreignvisitors when the pandemic has been spectacularly controlled.”
Heldannually since 2018, the VPBank Hanoi Marathon is recognised as a member of theAssociation of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), with therunning course standardised by AIMS experts.
Runner'sresults at the competition this year can be used for qualification for theprestigious Boston Marathon.
The VPHM2020 times will also be officially recognised for runner qualification tocompete in the SEA Games 2021 to be held in Vietnam./.
VNA
