Ho Chi Minh City midnight race promotes city's sports, tourism: official

Nguyen Nam Nhan, Deputy Director of the HCMC Department of Culture and Sports, said at the press conference announcing the race on Monday that the department has been collaborating with the VnExpress Marathon organizers to prepare the ideal conditions for 10,000 athletes for several months.

A night marathon with all four distances will be the first in HCMC and will have positive impact on the sports training movement, particularly for amateurs, Nhan said.

The department anticipates that the VnExpress Marathon HCMC Midnight will grow into an annual event, a highlight in the city's sports movement.

"I hope the event can spread further, not only among domestic runners but also international friends," he said.

Nguyen Nam Nhan, Deputy Director of the HCMC Department of Culture and Sports, speaks at a press conference on February 6, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

Runner Bui Van Da of T-Coaching Club, who registered the 42km distance, said he was looking forward to running at midnight in the city where he lives and works for the first time.

Da said he has participated in several VnExpress Marathon tournaments, but the experience of running through familiar sights at night with thousands of people will be completely novel.

Many big clubs across the country, such as Binh Duong Runners, adidas Runners, Hoa Binh Park Runners, will also take part in the tournament.

They will be gathering in HCMC over the week to familiarize themselves with the race and the weather conditions.

VnExpress Marathon HCMC Midnight 2023 will begin at 0 a.m. on Sunday. The race course will pass through central streets such as Dong Khoi, Ton Duc Thang, and Nguyen Hue, and two iconic bridges Ba Son and Thu Thiem.

Runners attend a press conference announcing the VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City Midnight, on February 6, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

Nearly 130 prizes with a total value of more than VND1 billion ($42,386) will be granted to runners with high rankings at the race.

The male and female winners of the 42-kilometer distance will receive the top award of VND30.5 million including cash and assets. The runners-up and third-place finishers will receive VND26.5 million and VND22.9 million.

To avoid disrupting locals' life and ensure runners' safety, the organization of traffic has been carefully planned.

FPT Long Chau Pharmacy, the tournament's medical sponsor, will supply anti-inflammatory and cold spray products to help with pain alleviation during the run.

Runners can visit the medical booth prior to the running day to learn more about the products and get health advice from the pharmacist team.

The tournament will welcome runners to receive bibs on Friday at Hoa Lu Stadium. The Kun Marathon will be held on Saturday with 2,000 children aged between six and 10.

Full-marathon runners will start at midnight, 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer runners at 0:30 a.m., and half-marathon runners at 1:15 a.m.