The Da Nang International Marathon (DNIM) 2024 officially opened at the city’s East Sea Park on Friday, drawing more than 9,000 runners, including 1,800 foreigners from 57 countries and territories.

Runners at the Da Nang International Marathon 2023

Many famous athletes

First held in 2013, the Da Nang International Marathon has become one of Viet Nam's oldest running events.

Over the past decade, DNIM has become a large-scale and important sporting event in the coastal city, contributing to encouraging people to pursue a healthy lifestyle, and promoting local tourism by attracting thousands of domestic and international runners.

The contest is proud to be recognised as having the most beautiful running track in ASEAN which is certified to meet standards of the Association of International Marathons (AIMS) and the World Athletics Federation (World Athletics). Accordingly, runners will run through a number of the city’s prominent locations such as the Dragon Bridge, the Han River Bridge, the Son Tra Peninsula, and the Marble Mountains.

Previously, it was held annually in August, but from this year, the organising board has decided to organise the event in March when the weather is cooler and more pleasant.

Runners will compete in a 42 km full marathon, a 21 km half marathon, a 10km run, and a 5km run, plus a 1.5km Ronny Dash run for kids aged between 3 and 10.

This year’s event attracts more than 9,000 runners, including 1,800 foreigners from 57 countries and territories, accounting for 19% of the total number of the participants, an increase of about 46% compared to 2023. Ronny Dask 1.5km run will see the participation of 700 children and parents.

According to Mr. Bady Pham, Director of the Pulse Active Company, the weather in March helped athletes have a better experience. Changing the organisation time is a long-term strategy, aiming to draw 20,000 runners in 2027. This is an activity to support tourism stimulation for Da Nang in the off-peak months.

He added that the Pulse Active Company is currently cooperating with many international sports tourism partners from the US, Europe, China, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand. It is expected that these units alone will bring more than 2,000 international athletes to Da Nang in the 2025 season onwards.

In addition to runners from all over the world, DNIM 2024 attracts a large number of athletes with good results called Dragon Runners. About 100 athletes have registered to join the Dragon Runner group.

In the category of the full marathon, the two brightest athletes for the championship are male athlete Edwin Kiptoo Yebe from Kenyan, and SEA Games gold medalist Pham Thi Binh from Viet Nam. Besides, the registration list includes athlete Le Tan Hi, the champion of DNIM 2019.

Athlete Le Tan Hi said that the international marathon is an attractive, professionally organised competition that cannot be missed. In order to prepare for this year's competition, he practiced twice a day.

One week before the competition, he went to Da Nang to familiarise himself with the weather conditions and running routes. He targets to break his own limits, aiming for the highest possible achievement. Competing with experienced international athletes on the marathon track is a good opportunity for him and other runners to improve their professional skills.

Security and order ensured

To ensure the success of the sporting event, the city’s Department of Public Security has made a plan to ensure security and order.

Specifically, the police force supports traffic rearrangement, and security and order work for the marathon, half-marathon, 10km, 5km and Ronny Dash 1.5km, as well as arrange the motorbike club and the city's sports bicycle association to guide participating athletes during the competition.

The route whose one lane will be banned from travelling between 3:00am and 9:00 am on March 24 is the East Sea Park - Vo Nguyen Giap - Truong Sa - The intersection of Truong Sa and Minh Mang - Vo Nguyen Giap - Nguyen Van Thoai - Tran Thi Ly Bridge - Extended Bach Dang - Nhu Nguyet - Nguyen Tat Thanh - The intersection of Nguyen Tat Thanh and Nguyen Sinh Sac - Nguyen Tat Thanh - Thuan Phuoc Bridge - Le Duc Tho - Hoang Sa - Vo Nguyen Giap - East Sea Park.

Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports Nguyen Trong Thao said that preparations were completed before the opening day of the competition. The organizing board wants the athletes to have interesting experiences, thereby contributing to promoting the development of the running movement in particular, and a healthy lifestyle for people in general, as well as building a dynamic and integrated image of Da Nang. DNIM is a good opportunity for the city to advertise its friendly and hospitable image to domestic and international friends.

Reporting by PHI NONG - Translating by M.DUNG