The 6^th VNG Ironman 70.3 Vietnam triathlon will take place at the Son Thuy Beach in Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang, from May 5-8 after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Athletes in the VNG Ironman 70.3 Vietnam triathlon 2018. Photo: XUAN SON

This year’s event themed ‘Embracing Challenges’ is expected to attract the participation of more than 2,500 domestic and foreign athletes who will compete in 1.9km swimming, 90km cycling and 21.1km running.

Aside from the Ironman 70.3 competition to be take place on May 8, the race weekend will also host the Sunrise SPRINT Viet Nam (a short series triathlon) for all interested athletes, and the IRONKIDS Viet Nam for children aged 5 to 14.

VNG Ironman 70.3 Vietnam 2022 will reserve 70 slots for attending the 2022 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in the US on October 28 and 29 this year, including 25 "Women For Tri" slots to encourage female athletes to join.

According to Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Culture and Sports Nguyen Trong Thao, VNG Ironman 70.3 Vietnam is a famous sports competition in the world with many harsh challenges. It is a sporting event in Viet Nam with a large number of multinational athletes and the number of participating athletes increases every year.

In 2015, the first VNG Ironman 70.3 Competition in Da Nang attracted more than 1,000 athletes from 54 countries and territories around the world. Only 69 of whom represented Viet Nam.

“VNG Ironman 70.3 Vietnam is a prestigious and professional competition, contributing to promoting the running, swimming and cycling movement, and a healthy lifestyle among people in general, as well as to advertising the image of a dynamic and integrated Da Nang to international friends. The sporting event not only drives the city’s socio-economic development but also promotes the mass sports movement in the city" emphasised Mr. Thao.

Mr. Raymond Tan who is the Finance Director of VNG (VinaGame Technology Company) and also a participating athlete, remarked that, since the first version of the race held in Da Nang in 2015, VNG has actively supported Ironman 70.3 to spread the sports spirit to Vietnamese people and inspire participants to push their limits.

“VNG Ironman 70.3 Vietnam hopes that all athletes can enjoy the race on the beautiful and iconic route of Da Nang” added Mr. Raymond Tan.

According to Director of the race Onslo Carrington, the race has become a place where athletes show their special love for sports in general and triathlon in particular.

Reporting by LE HUNG - Translating by M.DUNG