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| From early morning, the runners started to conquer the roads in the inner city area |
With four subcategories of 5km, 10km, 21km and 42km, thousands of runners ran together on the heritage roads, the poetic inner city area, and the roads on the both banks of the Huong River, from Phu Xuan Bridge to Gia Vien Bridge of Hue Ancient Capital. This year marks the fourth season of the VnExpress Marathon returning to Hue, with an expanded scale of organization and prizes.
From a number of nearly 5,000 runners in the first season, the scale of the race this year has increased to thousands of runners, including professional runners and semi-professional runners, running clubs from all over the country, and many runners from countries around the world. According to the routes, all four subcategories start and finish at the location in front of the Phu Van Lau on Le Duan Street.
The 21km and 42km running tracks, which meet the AIMS standards, remain largely unchanged from the previous season. Runners run a large loop that encompasses Hue Imperial City, then conquer the inner city route, and expand to include modern routes of Hue such as the Dap Da, Lam Hoang Street, Le Duc Anh Street, and Vo Van Kiet Street, etc. Along the running tracks, the Organizing Committee arranged dozens of single-way water stations, six two-way water stations, six master medical stations, five regular medical stations, and four ambulance car locations so as to ensure the safety of the competing runners.
In addition to competing on the running tracks, before the start of the race, runners and visitors can experience activities at the Expo area, as well as the post-race relaxation area, and visit sites managed by the Hue Monuments Conservation Center.
The VnExpress Marathon Imperial Hue 2024 is an important event that reflects the positive response and enthusiasm of the people towards the physical exercise and sports movement, creating a ripple effect within the community. It is also a nationwide mass sports activity, which is organized by the coordination between the Provincial People's Committee and the VnExpress Newspaper. The accompanying units have come together to create a large-scale race that attracts a large number of runners to participate, with the values of the race not only spreading its brand name domestically but also reaching the international level; thereby, contributing to promoting the image of Hue with its heritage land and landscapes to domestic and international visitors.
Following are some photos recorded at the race:
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| Before the break of dawn, runners were already eagerly lined up on the running tracks |
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| Runners ran across the Huu Gate |
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| Conquering together |
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| A little runner broke through on the running track |
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| Supporting |
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| Many foreign runners participated in the race |
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| Runners experienced the very poetic roads of Hue |
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| Funny disguise on the running track |