With the theme "Impressive Hau Giang", the 2023 "Vietcombank Mekong Delta" International Marathon - Hau Giang is an event organized to spread the message of environmental protection and climate change response. Participating in the tournament, 9,000 athletes, including international athletes from France, Japan and Singapore, will compete in 6 distances, including 42km (for those aged 18 and over); 21km (for those aged 16 and over); 10km and 5km (if the participant is under 16 years old, a guardian must be responsible and sign a waiver); 2.4km (for those aged 12 to 15) and 800m for those aged 6 to 11.

Athletes participating in the "Vietcombank Mekong Delta" International Marathon - Hau Giang 2023.

Participating in the tournament, athletes will run through many uniquely designed routes through green fields; peaceful, rustic villages; winding, meandering canals like a typical picture of Hau Giang countryside. In particular, the running routes have the same starting and ending points, forming a closed, non-repeating loop. This helps athletes always be excited and have many experiences on the running track.
Athlete Nguyen Ba Hien, from the People's Army Newspaper Representative Board in Can Tho, participated in the "Vietcombank Mekong Delta" International Marathon - Hau Giang in 2023.
Participating in the 2023 Vietcombank Mekong Delta International Marathon - Hau Giang, athlete Nguyen Ba Hien, from the People's Army Newspaper Representative Board in Can Tho, shared: "The tournament has become a festival for thousands of athletes and domestic and international tourists. Although it rained at the starting time, it did not affect the athletes' competitive spirit. Participating in this year's tournament, in addition to training for health, each athlete is a message ambassador, spreading the meaning of joining hands to fight climate change, preserve and develop the Nine Dragons land".
Despite the rain, the love of marathon was shown in every step of the athletes.
This is the 4th season of the "Vietcombank Mekong Delta" International Marathon - Hau Giang. The tournament was first held in 2019, attracting more than 4,200 athletes from 11 countries and territories; in 2020, it increased to about 7,200 athletes. In 2021, the tournament was interrupted due to the Covid-19 epidemic, in 2022, more than 8,500 athletes, including 47 international athletes from 18 countries participated in the competition. This year's route is located in Vi Thanh city, certified by experts from the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) to meet international standards, and athletes can use their competition results to qualify for major marathons around the world.

News and photos: THUY AN