The most read Vietnamese newspaper
Edition: International | Vietnamese
© Copyright 1997 VnExpress.net. All rights reserved.
One of the biggest marathon clubs in Hanoi, Hoa Binh Park Runners (HBPR), has drawn up its list of members for VM Hanoi Midnight this year. All 23 members have great personal records, with five capable of finishing the full marathon (42 kilometers) in under three hours. During VM Hanoi Midnight last year, three HBPR members achieved top results in different age groups.
"The night marathon in Hanoi this year will include many strong teams. The competition will get a boost with the addition of the group category," said Hoang Duc Huy, HBPR president.
A team named Ultrain from Ho Chi Minh City will enter 20 runners for VM Hanoi Midnight. Most of its members are experienced runners, with some having won a few prior marathons. For VM Hanoi Midnight this year, the group has set a goal to finish in the top five, after winning a recent relay tournament in HCMC.
From northern bay city Ha Long comes Halong Runners Club (HRC). Fifty of its members, divided into two teams, will join the night marathon. Half had finished the marathon last year. The first team will consist of elite runners, while the second team comprises mainly those competing in the half and full marathon for the first time.
HRC is the biggest marathon club in Ha Long and usually enters top events across the country with a large number of members.
The deadline for group category registration is March 31. The main event will take place on the night of Nov. 20 and the morning of Nov. 21.
VM Hanoi Midnight on Nov. 28 last year was the first big night marathon staged in Vietnam, with around 5,500 participants and many personal records broken.
VnExpress has also organized two marathons in south central beach town Quy Nhon and one in central resort town Hue.
