On Sunday, on the Son Tra Peninsula, the Son Tra Run Challenge 2023 kicked off with the participation of nearly 2,000 professional and movement athletes from more than 10 countries and territories worldwide.
In the first time it was held, the tournament was exciting and attractive, becoming an interesting tourism product in the city.

The Organizing Committee’s representative awards prizes to athletes with high achievements at the Son Tra Run Challenge 2023.

The tournament was organised by the Son Tra District People's Committee, in coordination with the Viet Nam Television Centre for the Central Viet Nam- Central Highlands region (VTV8).

From dawn, athletes competed at 3 distances: 6km, 16km and 26km. To complete the distances, the athletes ran on a specially designed route with green natural landscapes and a slope of nearly 1,000m towards the Son Tra Peak.

With the route starting from Hoang Sa Street at its intersection with Vu Ngoc Nha Street to Ban Co (Chess Board) peak, athletes had the opportunity to explore famous places on the Son Tra Peninsula such as Linh Ung Pagoda, Son Tra Tinh Vien (Son Tra Peaceful Garden), Son Tra radar station, Vong Canh Hill.
After a period of exciting competition, the event’s Organizing Committee awarded awards to the top 3 outstanding athletes in each competition content.

Specifically, in the race of 6km for women, the first prize went to athlete Nguyen Khanh Ly with a record of 21 minutes and 31 seconds. In the race of 16km for women, the first prize was presented to athlete Nong Thi Quynh Nhu with a record of 1 hour 15 minutes 4 seconds.

In the race of 26km for women, athlete Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuc finished in the first place with a record of 2 hours 10 minutes 34 second.

In the 6km event for men, athlete Mao Quoc Tien won the first prize with a record of 20 minutes and 15 seconds. In the 16km race for men, the first prize went to athlete Tran Dinh Hao with a record of 1 hour, 4 minutes and 52 seconds.

In the race of 26km for men, first prize went to Vo Xuan Vinh for a record of 1 hour 48 minutes 56 seconds.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hung from the capital city of Ha Noi expressed interest in experiencing the beauty of the running routes. “This is the first time I have visited Da Nang and participated in a running race. In my opinion, the running track at the tournament is a great running track and the organizers have carefully prepared it”.

Finishing first in the 26km event, athlete Vo Xuan Vinh excitedly said, “Participating in this tournament, I not only faced challenging slopes but also enjoyed the feeling of running in the mist in the early morning, running through the bright clouds on top of Son Tra and watching Da Nang from above. I want to thank the Organising Committee for creating opportunities for athletes to participate in a meaningful tournament”.

There are many special things that athletes bring to the tournament.

Many athletes from neighbouring provinces and cities come to participate in the tournament. An athlete from Dai Loc District, Quang Nam Province raises a slogan as he runs to the finish line.

Here is the image of the silver medal awarded to the athletes by the Organizing Committee after reaching the finish line

Here is a special musical performance performed at the award.

According to Mr. Huynh Van Hung, Vice Chairman of Son Tra District People's Committee, the tournament took place on Christmas, attracting many domestic and foreign athletes to attend and leave many marks. Success in the first time is the motivation for Son Tra District to coordinate with VTV8 to maintain regular tournament organization.

"In the coming years, the Organizing Committee will strive to promote socialisation and raise the level of the tournament, in order to bring interesting and meaningful sporting events in the Central Viet Nam and Central Highlands regions for athletes, residents and tourists, thereby raising awareness about the role of exercise and sports in protecting people's health and quality of life and building a healthy lifestyle and cultural environment. At the same time, heed will be paid to building tourism products, introducing to domestic and international tourists the beauty of Son Tra peninsula and Da Nang beaches.”, added Vice Chairman of Son Tra District People's Committee Huynh Van Hung.

Reporting by PHI NONG, BAO LAM - Translating by A.THU