Historic landmarks come to light in VnExpress Marathon Hue

By Staff reporters    December 26, 2020 | 08:14 pm PT
Starting at dark and finishing at dawn, the VnExpress Marathon Hue wound its way through a town teeming with historical and cultural landmarks.
Runners of the 42 km race started their running at 4:50 a.m., the 21 km, 10 km, and 5 km races start later. The races all commenced on Le Duan Street, between the relics of Phu Van Lau, or Pavilion of Edicts and Nghenh Luong Pavilion, two Nguyen Dynasty landmarks.

Participants of the 42 km race started out first at 4:50 a.m., followed later by those running the 21 km, 10 km, and 5 km races. All the races began at Le Duan Street between the relics of Phu Van Lau, or the Pavilion of Edicts, and the Nghenh Luong Pavilion, two Nguyen Dynasty landmarks.

Women wearing the iconic ao dai of Hue cheered thousands of runners at the starting line.

Women wearing the iconic ao dai and conical hats cheered thousands of runners at the starting line.

Runners crossed Truong Tien Bridge spanning the Huong River, a symbol of the former capital. In the white tank top is Pham Thi Hong Le, who has won the 42 km race for women three times: one at the VnExpress Hanoi Midnight in November, following up on victories in the 2019 and 2020 editions of the VnExpress Marathon Quy Nhon.

It is dark as runners cross the lit Truong Tien Bridge spanning the Huong River. In the white tank top is Pham Thi Hong Le, who has won the 42 km race for women three times: the VnExpress Hanoi Midnight in November, as well as the 2019 and 2020 editions of the VnExpress Marathon Quy Nhon.

Japanese runner Hiroshi Sahara, joining the 42 km race, passed by Thuong Bac Park, located on the northern bank of the Huong River.

Japanese runner Hiroshi Sahara, who joined the 42 km race, passes by Thuong Bac Park on the northern banks of the Huong River.

Quoc Hoc Memorial Stele, a well-known historic spot in the city, witnessed runners passing by.

A group of runners go past the well lit Quoc Hoc Memorial Stele, which commemorates Vietnamese and French soldiers who died fighting Germany in the first Wold War.

Le Quang Hoa, winner of the 42 km race at the VnExpress Marathon Quy Nhon in 2019, passing by Thien Mu Pagoda (Pagoda of the Celestial Lady), another symbol of Hue, on Nguyen Phuc Nguyen Street.Located on Ha Khe Hill, about five kilometers west of downtown Hue, Thien Mu Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River was built in 1601 and is considered one of the most sacred sites in Vietnam.

Le Quang Hoa, winner of the 42 km race at the VnExpress Marathon Quy Nhon in 2019, passes by the Thien Mu Pagoda (Pagoda of the Celestial Lady) on Nguyen Phuc Nguyen Street. Located on Ha Khe Hill, about five kilometers west of downtown Hue, the Thien Mu Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River was built in 1601 and is considered one of the most sacred sites in Vietnam.

Both the full and half marathon races go past Thien Mu Pagoda.

Both the full and half marathon races went past the sacred Thien Mu Pagoda.

Truong Hong Huu won the mens 5 km race.

Truong Hong Huu wins the men's 5 km race.

The women’s 5 km race was won by Nguyen Thi Thu Ha.

The women’s 5 km race is won by Nguyen Thi Thu Ha.

Le Quang Hoa, winner of the mens 42 km race, passed by Da Vien Bridge, which crosses the Huong River in the southwest of Hue.

Le Quang Hoa, winner of the men's 42 km race, making it his second VnExpress Marathon title, passes by the Da Vien Bridge, which crosses the Huong River in southwest Hue.

Nguyen Thanh Ngung won the mens 10 km race.

Nguyen Thanh Ngung wins the men's 10 km race.

Pham Thi Hong Le led the race and won the womens 42 km race. VnExpress Marathon Hue 2020 is organized by VnExpress and Thua Thien Hue Province Peoples Committee. It is part of a series of marathons that VnExpress has organized in recent years, including those in Hanoi and central beach town Quy Nhon, with the desire to open up a healthy playground for sports lovers, especially in the marathon category.

Pham Thi Hong Le smiles on her way to winning her fourth women’s 42 km VnExpress Marathon.
VnExpress Marathon Hue 2020 was organized by VnExpress and ThuaThien Hue Province People's Committee. It was one of a series of marathons that VnExpress has organized in recent years, including those in Hanoi and central beach town Quy Nhon, with the aim of opening a healthy practice and playground for sports lovers, especially in the marathon category.

 
 
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