The 2015 Da Nang International Marathon (DNIM) will take place at the city’s East Sea Park on Sunday 30 August.  This is the 3^rd running of the race which has been recognised as an official annual sporting event by the International Association of Athletics Federations and the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races.

In response to DNIM, some of the city’s young people have created a Facebook account named ‘Danang Runners’ with over 400 friends, many of whom are from Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, Bac Ninh, Hue and Hoi An.

The Facebook page features useful information about the competition, including rules, races and detailed positions of drinks stands along the marathon route.  In addition, the page’s members have encouraged each other to participate in the competition’s half marathon or the 5km run and walk.

Runners at last’s year event

A member of Danang Runners, who is the owner of a coffee shop in the city, will provide free bananas, electrolyte-enhanced water and other items for any of the page's members participating in the competition to ensure their physical health.

Ms Yuko Arimori, who is a former professional marathon runner in Japan and founder of the Hearts of Gold organisation, is very eager to join this year’s event.

She said that she decided to participate because of its impressive theme of ‘Run for Peace’.  She remarked that this year’s event, which marks the 40^th anniversary of the end of the Viet Nam war, will help bring people around the world closer together.

Mr Dennis Zaborac from the USA, who participated in the war in Da Nang, could not hide his emotions as he returned to the city to take part in last year’s event.

He said that he was very impressed by the friendliness and enthusiasm of the local volunteers, viewers, people sitting at sidewalk coffee shops and motorbike drivers.  He affirmed that their smiles, cheering applause and friendly greetings gave him strength to finish his race.

After the competition, he realised that he no longer had any enemies in Da Nang.  In fact he felt that he and the other runners were teammates as they together tried to fight against the heat, tiredness and the length of their races.

This year’s competition is aimed at projecting Da Nang as a peaceful and friendly city with its own special characteristics.  It is hoped that the best impressions of the beautiful city and the local friendly residents will be advertised to international friends.