More than 9,000 domestic and foreign athletes participate in the Marathon in Can Tho

On the morning of December 3, more than 9,000 domestic and foreign athletes excitedly participated in the 2023 Can Tho Heritage International Marathon, held at Song Hau Park. The number of athletes was 3 times higher than the first season of the Can Tho Heritage Marathon held in 2019.

Thousands of athletes excitedly participated in the 5km distance (Photo: Bao Ky).

In his opening speech, Mr. Nguyen Thuc Hien, Vice Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee, said that the Can Tho Heritage International Marathon is one of the large-scale running events, a sporting event that attracts many tourists and athletes from all over to compete, experience, and enjoy the natural landscape and culinary specialties of the river region.

This is also an opportunity for the city to introduce and promote to friends and tourists the image and people of Can Tho, a city with rich potential, friendly and hospitable.

At the same time, through this race, we aim to raise public awareness about training and protecting health; promote and strongly develop running and encourage Can Tho people to participate more and more in the movement "running for fun, running for health".

The race has 4 competition distances: 5km, 10km, half Marathon (21km) and full Marathon (42.195km) with the running route starting from Song Hau Park and passing through famous landmarks, typical tourist attractions of Tay Do land such as: Ninh Kieu wharf, Vong Cung road, Cai Rang floating market...

Full Marathon and Half Marathon distances, 10km and 5km distances start at 4:00, 5:30 and 7:00 respectively.

Mr. Nguyen Thuc Hien, Vice Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee delivered the opening speech (Photo: Minh Trung).

Participating in the 21km race, Mr. Tran Minh Quang (34 years old, living in Soc Trang province) said that he often participates in the Marathon to improve his health as well as challenge his endurance.

"This year, there were many athletes from many provinces and cities across the country, including foreigners, participating in the race. While I was running, I met an 8-year-old girl who also participated in the 21km distance. Her endurance was not inferior to that of an adult," said Mr. Quang.

Mr. Torben Hjelm Andersen (69 years old, Denmark) shared the moment of completing the 21km distance (Photo: Bao Ky).

Completing the 21km distance in 2 hours and 27 minutes, Mr. Torben Hjelm Andersen (69 years old, Denmark) happily shared with Dan Tri reporter that he enjoyed running the Marathon on the beautiful route in Can Tho City.

"This is my 100th Marathon and my 17th in Vietnam. I have run many routes in Vietnam, but the most impressive thing to me is the route in Can Tho. The cool air and peaceful river make me feel very relaxed as a runner," the male athlete shared.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/hon-9000-van-dong-vien-trong-va-ngoai-nuoc-tham-du-giai-marathon-o-can-tho-20231203113600906.htm