VPBank VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City Midnight receives AIMS certification

AIMS specialist Kim Vivian visited Vietnam on Jan. 23 to measure the VPBank VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City Midnight's route, which has been slightly modified from 2023. Following the evaluation of the route, AIMS officially certified all four distances after a week.

The AIMS certification awarded to the Ho Chi Minh City night run 2024 confirms the official lengths for the events, including a full marathon at 42.195 km and a half marathon at 21.097 km. Participants can use their results as part of the qualification criteria to register for major marathons around the world, such as Chicago, Tokyo, and Boston.

AIMS holds a distinguished position, frequently tasked with the accurate measurement of marathon paths for prominent events, including the Olympic Games and other major marathons.

The VPBank VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City Midnight 2024 has been awarded the AIMS certification.

The VPBank VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City Midnight marks the kickoff for the 2024 VnExpress Marathon series. This year's event continues to feature the distinct characteristics of the previous season. Participants will compete during the early hours, beginning at Tao Dan Park, passing through numerous iconic sites, and experiencing the lively nightlife of Ho Chi Minh City. Runners will also cross the well-known Ba Son and Thu Thiem bridges over the Saigon River and conclude their marathon in front of the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden.

Directly measuring the route over the past two years, Kim said he believes this year's runners are competing under better conditions. The specialist indicates an enhanced infrastructure this year compared to the previous year. With the increased construction of riverside parks, runners now enjoy clearer views along the race route. Furthermore, road surfaces have seen notable improvements, particularly in the Thu Thiem Peninsula area. Organizers plan to address darker stretches by installing additional lighting fixtures.

"I'm always impressed by Ho Chi Minh City's endless energy, regardless of day or night. The air quality here is quite good. This year, the course will undergo more optimal adjustments compared to last year. These adjustments, though minor, are interesting and will surely create an excellent experience for runners," Kim said.

Kim Vivian (R) measures the route passing by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee headquarters. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

VPBank VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City Midnight is highly appreciated by experts for its organization, operations, water supply, and security measures akin to international standards. Notably, Kim also loves the appeal of commemorative items for participants, like the distinctive jerseys and medals made with iconic symbols of Ho Chi Minh City, including the renowned Ben Thanh market.

After over a month of registration, the Ho Chi Minh City night run has received approximately 9,000 registrations, with only about 2,000 bibs remaining. Registration will close on Feb. 22, or when the maximum capacity is reached. This is to ensure an adequate supply of goods and overall safety for athletes on race day. Runners can register here.