Pacers test out VnExpress Marathon Hanoi Midnight course

Amid chilly Hanoi weather, pacers ran the 21 km track of VM Hanoi Midnight, scheduled from November 28 to 29.
The race, themed "Run to the Light", is the first large-scale night run in the capital.

All pacers were given the event's yellow jersey and white arm sleeves, which will also be given to all participants on the day of the race.
Pacers headed out at midnight from the race starting point on Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, which can host thousands of spectators and athletes.

As part of the half marathon, athletes ran past the Sword Lake, then Hanoi Opera House and along streets like Le Thanh Tong, Phan Chu Trinh, Ngo Thi Nham, Pho Hue, Nguyen Du, and Nguyen Dinh Chieu. The course continued at Thong Nhat Park before entering Tran Hung Dao and Ly Thuong Kiet streets.

Since streets in downtown Hanoi are often short and narrow, organizers plan to deploy 400 volunteers carrying 500 light sticks to guide the way. Every turn will has at least one track security member and signposts to help athletes navigate.

Pacers run past Hanoi Flag Tower. The run served as a practice round for photographers before the actual event, helping lensmen determine locations and angles to fully capture Hanoi at night.
Organizers will further install high-power lighting systems along the way so runners could take their own great photos.

Runners received enthusiastic cheers from downtown revelers.
Ngo Thuy Duyen said the feeling of running at night is refreshing. "Whenever I pass by this area during the day, the streets are always bustling with people. But the atmosphere is much more quite at night. I love Hanoi at night on autumn days like this," Duyen said.

Pacers completed the 21 km track in around two hours.
To guarantee the safety of over 5,000 athletes, organizers will set up several medical, water and navigation check points. On average, there will be one checkpoint every two kilometers, with eight medical stops in total.