News Release: VPBank Hanoi Marathon 2022 Holds Record Number Of FM Runners

More than 10,000 runners are ready for the VPBank Hanoi Marathon 2022, Vietnam’s leading professional race, which holds a record number of 3,000 Full Marathon runners.

In addition, more than 1,000 runners from many countries around the world joining the competition also marks the spectacular return of international events to Vietnam after a long 'frozen period' due to the pandemic.

“With thousands of runners from all over the country as well as countries around the world attending, the VPBank Hanoi Marathon not only helps promote and introduce the quintessence of culture, tourism and cuisine of Vietnam with the world, but also contribute to lighting the fire of sports spirit as well as spreading a civilized and active lifestyle in the community”, said Ms. Nguyen Thuy Duong, Director of the Center for Communication and Marketing of the Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank), the co-organizer of the race.

Ms. Duong also said that VPBank Hanoi Marathon 2022's message “Light up Vietnam” marks a strong and inspiring new beginning, showing a Vietnam that is ready to shine after a difficult period, towards the prosperous future.

At this point, all preparations for the marathon are ready. The final road test-run took place on October 2 with nearly 100 runners from clubs in several cities and provinces such as Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ha Tinh, etc.

The VPBank Hanoi Marathon 2022 track has been standardized by a grade A expert of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). Along with runners, a team of photographers and groups of volunteers, bikers have also joined to ‘test run’ group support activities.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tri, General Director of DHA Vietnam Company, the race owner, a member of the Race Organizing Committee said: “The highlight of the VPBank Hanoi Marathon 2022, and also the category that makes the ROC focus the most are the running tracks that can "pain" the full beauty of the capital of Hanoi. In order to have a typical running track with heritage characteristics, connecting famous landscapes, bringing the beauty of street culture and unique traffic of the capital, going through more than 80 old streets, the ROC had to research for many months, with hundreds of road tests as well as meetings with the authorities to come up with a plan to ensure the safety and smoothness of the city's traffic.”

This year, for the first time runners will start at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc square and cross the Finish line in front of Hoan Kiem Power Company at 69C Dinh Tien Hoang street.

The FM track does not cross the Long Bien bridge like before, but will check all the 5 most special lakes in Hanoi: Hoan Kiem Lake, Bay Mau Lake, Ba Mau Lake, West Lake and Truc Bach Lake, as well as taking runners past famous landmarks such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square and Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

With a flat road, no steep bridges or loops, blocked and protected by functional forces, runners can easily achieve PRs and PBs.

Along with the running track, the VPBank Hanoi Marathon singlet is also a hot topic for debate in runners' forums. All the singlets of the VPBank Hanoi Marathon are provided by sponsor Xtep, a regional leading sportswear brand. The VPBank Hanoi Marathon shirt always received a warm welcome from runners in previous races.

Another unique feature of this year's VPBank Hanoi Marathon is the "Golden Running Step" cup with the design of a male runner in the position of speeding toward the Finish line, plated in 24K gold. This cup will be awarded to the runners who break the current national records of 2:21:51 for men, and 2:45:09 for women in FM distance.

Expo activities joined by sponsors, especially VPBank and Xtep, will bring many interesting things to the people of the capital and visitors.

With a step-by-step effort to turn the VPBank Hanoi Marathon into a cultural and sports heritage of the capital, in 2022, the ROC will for the first time introduce a program of the International Choir Festival, a classic art form but which is directed to carry contemporary features to welcome the runners participating in the race.

The Opening Ceremony is due to take place on Saturday night, at 20:00 on October 15. This will be a unique meeting between music and sports to promote the spirit of competition, while symbolizing the strength and endurance, cohesion and community spreading that marathon offers.

The VPBank Hanoi Marathon 2022 is ready so that every step of the runners on the track will bring unique experiences about Hanoi, the dynamic capital that is developing day by day while still retaining its gentle and charming beauty in Autumn.

SEVERAL PHOTOS OF THE ROUTE TEST-RUN: please see them here.

*** VPBank has an exhibition booth at the Start area, with 3 sections, namely a particularly impressive photography area that simulates the 42-km Route map, along with the landmarks that runners will run past. At the activity area, players would participate in the "Calorie Burning Challenge" to receive gifts from VPBank. The third subsection is designed for VPBank's customer gratitude activities.

*** Xtep's exhibition area has many special activities such as printing T-shirts with names and stickers, experiencing shoes on treadmills, Mascot Dance, human statue, posing for taking pictures according to photos... with many attractive gifts for the 3 days of the event, on October 14-16, 2022.

Contact:

DHA Vietnam

• Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh (Executive Director), M: +84 90 343 2295
• Ms. Tran Dieu Hong (Director of Communications), M: +84 91 367 0989

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Held annually since 2018, the VPBank Hanoi Marathon has become Hanoi’s official race and won recognition to be a member of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) since 2019, with a running track standardized by AIMS experts and the Vietnam Athletics Federation. The VPBank Hanoi Marathon has joined the Age Group Ranking System of Abbott World Marathon Majors. VPBank Hanoi Marathon results can be used to qualify at any of the World Six Majors, including the prestigious Boston Marathon.

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Race Date: October 16, 2022.

Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/VPBankHanoiMarathon

Should you have any question about the VPBank Hanoi Marathon, please email us at: hanoi.marathon@dhavietnam.vn.

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The Heritage Race system, owned and organized annually by DHA Vietnam, comprises of the VPBank Hanoi Marathon in October, the Halong Bay Heritage Marathon in November and the Can Tho Marathon - A Heritage Race in December.