VPBank Hanoi Marathon – Heritage Race 2019 about to hit the road

Representatives of organisers and VHM participants at the networking dinner held on August 8

For the second year, VPBank Hanoi Marathon – Heritage Race (VHM) is organised with the goal of becoming an international sporting event that appreciates the iconic symbols of Hanoi.

Following the success of last year's race, VHM 2019 is a connection of modern-day sports activities with the glorious, heroic past and heritage of Hanoi – a unique way to attract athletes from all over the world. Being the first and only marathon running through the Old Quarter and six central districts of Hanoi, VHM connects three main historical attractions of the city – Hoan Kiem Lake, Long Bien Bridge, and West Lake – creating a unique route through the heritages of Hanoi. Athletes will have a new and interesting experience by running past scenes of history and deep cultural value as scenes of typical Hanoian life flash by as they traverse the modern and the antique alike.

Notably, VHM has officially been certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) as a IAAF-standardised course, becoming an international running race which not only ensures professionalism but promotes the symbolic beauty of the host country.

VHM is expected to go beyond just being an international sporting event which encourages public health, and aims to become an ambassador promoting Vietnam and its people, introducing the quintessence of its culture, tourism, and cuisine to the world. Thus, it has been approved by Hanoi city to become an annual marathon race starting this year.

Talking about the potential of the race, head of the organsing board cum general director of DHA Vietnam Nguyen Tri said, “Operated with high professionalism and inspired by the Berlin Marathon, Paris Marathon, and Tokyo Marathon, we hope that VHM will soon earn a spot on the map of international marathons alongside these prestigious races.”

According to Do Chi Nghia, co-head of the organising board and editor-in-chief of People's Deputies Newspaper, VHM is currently one of the few professional race movements in Vietnam. Thanks to the continuous efforts of the organisers, VHM has been certificated as an international-standard runway by IAAF-AIMS in July 2019 and become a member of AIMS since 2019.

In line with the representative from co-organiser VPBank, Tran Tuan Viet, accompanying VHM for 10 years is VPBank’s strategy to bring financial, spiritual, and physically prosperity to the Vietnamese people. “With more than 2,500 officials and employees participating in different distances of the race, VPBank contributes to promoting a positive and healthy lifestyle, connecting the community. We expect that in the next five years, VPBank Hanoi Marathon will become one of the top races in the continent, meeting the world's Majors qualification.”

Preparing for VHM 2019, deputy general secretary of Vietnam Athletics Federation Nguyen Manh Hung revealed, “Top international and domestic elite marathon runners, as well as many of Vietnam’s national athletes, will participate in the marathon.”