The organisers, the World Marathon Company and Pulse Active, said at a press conference on August 7 that since 2013, each marathon has had a record number of entries.

It said 900 runners had registered in the full-marathon 42km, 1,700 athletes have signed up for the 21km event, and more than 1,000 people will take part in the 10km race.

The 5km FunRun has seen as the largest number of participants in the history of the race with 3,400 runners.

A representative of the race’s organising committee, Duong Thu Huong said this year will feature 200 children in the pre-marathon 1km Ronny Dash Gong Cha on August 11.

She said the kid’s race aims to create a fun for youngsters who accompany with their parents to the event, and all children will receive medals at the finish.

This year’s race, the 6th edition has the message ‘Because I love Da Nang’, race from the East Sea Park to cross through bridges, Tran Thi Ly and Thuan Phuoc, and beach track in Son Tra peninsula.

According to the organising committee, many prizes worth 300 million VND (13,200 USD) will be awarded for the winners at the race.

The race will see athletes from the Shonan International Marathon from Japan, and the two best Vietnamese marathoners (men’s and women’s divisions) will get free entries for the Shonan International Marathon on December 12 in Japan this year.

Donors have contributed more than 11,600 USD to help the poor, the disabled persons and Agent Orange victims before the race starts this weekend, the race’s organisers said at the press conference.

Huong said a series of environmental protection activities will be held during the race, while shopping and food stalls are opened to introduce local lifestyle and culture of the city.

US veteran Dennis Zaborac and members of the Silver Strider Club from the US will also join the race to promote a healthy lifestyle and to give a voice to older runners and walkers. They will also donate to help the underprivileged people during the race.

Meanwhile, the Eat Play Surf also selected the Manulife Da Nang International Marathon as one of the 10 best marathons to conquer Southeast Asia and has the most beautiful setting.

Last year, more than 5,700 athletes from 44 countries and territories joined the race, and more than 21,000 USD was raised for handicapped people and orphans, victims of Agent Orange/dioxin, disabled people, the Village of Hope and 15 low-income families in the city.

Japan’s Izawa Satoshi and Lany Cardona from the Philippines won the men’s and women’s 42km in 2017.

The oldest runner of 2017, was Noriko Sakota, 72, from Japan, who completed the 42km race in three hours and 35.39 minutes.

The race is the first Vietnamese marathon certified by the International Amateur Athletics Association (IAAF) and the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races.

Source:VNS/VNA