2023 Halong Bay Heritage Marathon a success

Runners line up at the start of the 2023 Halong Bay Heritage Marathon

In the 42km women's run, Pham Thi Hong Le from Binh Dinh province and a member of the national athletics team, secured first place with an impressive time of 2:54.23. The runner-up was Leo Thi Tinh with a time of 2:59.12.

Meanwhile, in the men's 42km, amateur runner Dang Anh Quyet got first prize with an achievement of 2:37.39.

In the 21km category, Nguyen Trung Cuong, a member of the national team who had previously won the gold medal in the 3,000m steeplechase at SEA Games 32, took the gold medal with a time of 1:11.58. The women's 21km saw Pham Thi Hue cross the finish line as winner with a time of 1:19.42.

The total prize value for the marathon this year was almost VND338 million ($14,685), including cash and prizes.

The overall first prize for the 42km distance for both men and women had a total value of VND 34.5 million ($1,500), including VND20 million in cash.

First-prize recipients in the half and full marathon have also been awarded an opportunity to compete at the World Platinum Championship to be held in Thailand next year.

The prize-giving ceremony at the 2023 Halong Bay Heritage Marathon

“Since its 2015 debut, all eight editions of the Halong Bay Heritage Marathon have received support from various department leaders in Quang Ninh province, especially Halong,” said Associate Professor Nguyen Tri, general director of Duc Huong Anh Company, the race owners.

The Halong Bay Heritage Marathon is a renowned race on the international marathon map and has received the blessing of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races and World Athletics. It has also been voted by Runner's World UK magazine as one of the 50 greatest races on earth.

“The recognition from a prestigious magazine like Runner's World UK has helped make Vietnam a destination that attracts more and more foreign runners to enjoy the beauty of the world natural heritage site that is Halong Bay and the Cat Ba Islands, and to discover the beauty of the Vietnamese people. They, in turn, will become ambassadors themselves and will promote Vietnam in the most vivid and effective way to friends and family back home,” Tri said.

The course wound through many beautiful landscapes, connecting the two cities of Halong and Cam Pha via a unique tunnel through a mountain in Cam Pha city. One side of the tunnel was completely closed for the race to ensure safety for runners.

The 2023 Halong Bay Heritage Marathon

This year's marathon was again eligible to participate in the Age Group Ranking System of Abbott World Marathon Majors, meaning runners' achievements in Halong will be recognised as official times for participation in any of the world's six most prestigious marathons in New York, Chicago, London, Boston, Tokyo, and Berlin.

The Halong Bay Heritage Marathon started in 2015 and offers a wide range of distance options, including a 42km Full Marathon, a 21km Half Marathon, a 10km race, and a 4.2km Fun Run.

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