After going virtual for two years in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Manulife Da Nang International Marathon (DNIM) 2022 was back with a conventional gathering, and maintained it as an international-level event.

Following the success of last year’s event, this year’s edition promises to be exciting with the participation of nearly 7,000 domestic and international athletes.

This year marks the 10^th edition of DNIM.

DNIM 2023 promises to be attractive with the participation of a large number of domestic and international athletes. Photo: P.N

Started in 2013, the marathon attracted 1,000 participants. The participation in DNIM has peaked in 2019 with a total of nearly 10,000 athletes. Overall, 9 editions of DNIM have attracted a combined total of more than 9,000 international athletes from more than 65 countries worldwide.

The Da Nang Marathon is the first professional marathon in Viet Nam to be certified by IAAF - AIMS (International Association of Athletics Federations and Association of International Marathons and Distance Races).

The Da Nang Marathon, an annual large-scale running event, attracts highest number of international runners who account for 30% of the total’s athletes in annual race.

This year’s edition is co-organized by the Da Nang Department of Culture and Sports and the Pulse Manufacturing and Trading Company Limited.

A total of 6,000 professional and amateur athletes along with domestic tourists and local residents, plus 900 international runners will be taking over local streets for DNIM 2023.

As planned, DNIM 2023 will kick off with an opening ceremony to be held at the main stage of East Sea Park on August 6.

DNIM 2023 will comprise 5 races: a 42 km full marathon, a 21 km half marathon, a 10km run, and a 5km run, and a 1.5km run.

The route of the full and half marathon races will be the East Sea Park - Vo Nguyen Giap - Nguyen Van Thoai - Tran Thi Ly Bridge – extended Bach Dang -  Nhu Nguyet - Thuan Phuoc Bridge - Le Duc Tho - Hoang Sa - Le Van Luong - Hoang Sa - Vo Nguyen Giap - the East Sea Park, with marathon entrants doing 2 laps.

As for the 10km run, the route will be the East Sea Park - Vo Nguyen Giap - the intersection of Nguyen Van Thoai, Vo Nguyen Giap and Hoang Sa streets - Hoang Sa - Vo Nguyen Giap - the East Sea Park.

With regard to the 5km run, the route will be the East Sea Park - Vo Nguyen Giap - the intersection of Phan Ba Phien and Hoang Sa streets - Vo Nguyen Giap - the East Sea Park.

Besides, Ronny Dash – a 1.5 km race for kids aged between 3 and 10 will take place at the East Sea Park. This exciting event aims at encouraging children to be more active, healthy, and show their love with Da Nang.

Following the success of previous editions of DNIM, this year’s edition has received great deal of attention from running communities. Please visit rundanang.com for more information and sign up.

Mr. Nguyen Hai Huy, a resident of Hai Chau 2 Ward, Hai Chau District, Da Nang, said: “I am proud of Da Nang where such a great event takes place annually. As a sports enthusiast, especially a running lover, I haven't missed any of editions of DNIM. I registered for last year’s edition to participate in the 21 km half marathon. This year, I want to challenge myself to a full 42km marathon. Hopefully, I and other participants in this year’s edition will have the opportunity to explore one of the most beautiful roads in Viet Nam along with beautiful scenery and bridges in Da Nang during our running events."

Due to the attractiveness of DNIM, members of runners groups in Da Nang don't want to miss out on this opportunity to rub shoulders with professional athletes from other parts of the country and around the world.

According to Mr. Tran Van Khai, a member of the Son Tra Runners Group, more than 50 members of the group have registered for this year’s edition, and they are eagerly waiting for DNIM 2023 to test their endurance levels and challenge themselves.

The Da Nang government has asked the municipal Department of Transport to closely work with authorities of Ngu Hanh Son, Son Tra and Hai Chau districts, the police force and relevant units to take effective steps in efforts to ensure the safety of athletes during the marathon. Besides, the event’s organizers are calling on volunteers to act as pacers who help set the pace for runners in the marathon and half-marathon, and pacer runners will be there throughout the event in the marathon and half marathon distances to help athletes achieve their running goals.

According to Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports Nguyen Trong Thao, the Da Nang international marathon brings together running lovers at both home and abroad to test their endurance, thereby, contributing to promoting running events and promoting a healthy lifestyle in the city, as well as promoting Da Nang as a dynamic city to international friends, and boosting the city’s international integration. Furthermore, DNIM is a gold opportunity for Da Nang, and Viet Nam as a whole, to advertise its culture, people and beauty to international friends. It can be seen that Da Nang emerges as not only an eventful city but also an attractive destination for running lovers, and the city is ready to welcome domestic and international tourists. The city will strive to make DNIM become its own distinctive brand asset, and the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia.

Reporting by PHI NONG – translating by H.L