It was announced at a press conference in Da Nang on Thursday that the 27^th Da Nang Newspaper Road Race is scheduled to take place at the area outside the Tien Son Sports Arena on April 21.

Da Nang Newspaper Editor-in-chief cum Head of the race’s organising board Nguyen Duc Nam speaking at the press conference

Diverse competition categories

The race is jointly organised by the Da Nang Newspaper, the Department of Culture and Sports, the Military Command, the Department of Public Security, and the Department of Education and Training.

The race and its opening ceremony will be broadcast live on the Da Nang Radio and Television Station.

It will see the participation of around 900 runners from 75 government agencies and departments, senior high schools, junior colleges and universities across Da Nang, and Da Nang-based armed forces, along with groups of professional athletes from provinces and cities across the country.

Runners will compete in individual, team and group events with distances of 1.5km, 2km, 3km, 4km, 5km and 7km, and at the same time, in 9 categories of junior high schools, senior high schools, government agencies, enterprises, universities, amateur athletes, districts, militia force at ward and commune levels, self-defence of agencies and enterprises, military soldiers, regular soldiers and professional athletes.

Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Da Nang Newspaper Tran Thi Thu Thuy speaking at the press conference

Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Da Nang Newspaper Tran Thi Thu Thuy said that the Da Nang Newspaper Road Race was used to be held in December every year celebrate the founding anniversary of the Viet Nam People's Army (December 22) and the People’s National Defence Day (December 22).

However, the unfavourable weather conditions in the month affected the organisation of the race and competition process of athletes. Therefore, with the agreement of the organisers and the approval of the municipal People's Committee, from the 26^th edition of the Da Nang Newspaper Road Race onward, the sports event will be held in April to mark the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30).

She informed that the Da Nang Newspaper developed plans and closely coordinated with relevant units to prepare for the sports event. Apart from awarding medals and souvenir flags to athletes and participating units with high achievements, the organisers will present certificates to this year’s participants as part of spiritual encouragement move for athletes who significantly contribute to the success of the race.

The Da Nang Newspaper Road Race is one of the large-scale sports tournaments in the city over the past 27 years.

Brand affirmation

The Da Nang Newspaper Road Race is one of the large-scale sports tournaments, and is also a rare movement tournament that is maintained in the city over the past 27 years.

Head of the Office of Fitness and Sports Management under the municipal Department of Culture and Sports Le Thi My Hanh acknowledged that over the past 26 years, the race has affirmed its brand as the number of registers increases year-on-year. Professional or amateur athletes participate in the race with high determination.

The race greatly contributes to training talented runners for Da Nang, as well as promoting sporting spirit among people from all walks of life, civil servants, school pupils and university students, military officers and men across Da Nang.

Reporting by PHI NONG - Translating by M.DUNG