Nearly 8,000 runners took part in the first-ever VNExpress Marathon Da Nang Midnight, starting at 2:00am on July 14.

The race aimed to advertise the image of Da Nang to tourists at both home and abroad, as well as promoted the development of local tourism sector.

The race course was completely redesigned, enhancing the experience of the athletes.

The 42km and 21km track was along the both banks of the Han River, the coastal road Nguyen Tat Thanh and on the Thuan Phuoc Bridge. Meanwhile, athletes participating in the 5km and 10km distances admired the beautiful night scenery of the Han River, and experienced the moment when the sun rose at famous Tran Thi Ly and Dragon bridges. ​​​​​​​

As a result, in the 42km event, male athlete Edwin Kiptoo from Kenya and female athlete Marta Tinsae Birehan from Ethiopia won first prizes in the men and women categories respectively.

In the 21km event, male athlete Nano Guta from Ethiopia and Le Thi Ha from Viet Nam took the first prizes. First prizes in the 10km event went to Hoang Minh Quan and Ngo Thi Minh.

Meanwhile, two Vietnamese runners Tran Minh Quy and Ao Thi Hoang won the 5km event in the men and women categories respectively.

Reporting by THANH DANH - Translating by M.DUNG