The Da Nang Department of Culture and Sports in collaboration with the Pulse Active Company opened the 2025 Da Nang International Marathon at the East Sea Park on Friday.

Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Culture and Sports Nguyen Trong Thao delivered the opening speech of the contest.

In his speech delivered at the opening ceremony, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports Nguyen Trong Thao said that the Da Nang International Marathon has become one of the region's typical running races in many years. Boasting one of the most beautiful running routes in Asia, the race has attracted many international runners over the past 12 years.

This year's race will welcome more than 7,000 runners, including nearly 3,000 international athletes from 72 countries and territories worldwide - the highest number in the marathon’s 12-year history, and an increase of nearly 45% compared to 2024.

The marathon has the largest number of international runners in Viet Nam to date, affirming the strong attraction of the Da Nang International Marathon on the world running map.

Athletes will be competing in 24km full marathon, half marathon (21km), and a fun run over 5km, along with two 'Ronny Dash' distances (500m and 1.5km) for children. In particular, the official race for adults will take place on March 23, whilst the race for children will be held on March 22. The 5km Meet-up Run will be organised on March 21 afternoon. Notably, this year’s race will have many international running clubs from Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan and the Philippines participating.

This year's race will attract more than 7,000 domestic and international runners.

The Da Nang International Marathon 2025 decided to drop the 10km distance in favour of adding numbers to the full and half marathon categories. These are the two main distances with the largest number of international runners.

As part of the marathon, the EXPO Festival is being held in the city on March 21 and 22. After receiving their running BIB numbers, runners have the opportunity to experience new products, take part in many exciting entertainment activities, and interact with the pacemakers at the on-stage activities of the competition.

Also at the opening ceremony, US war veteran Dennis Zaborac, and the Silver Strid Group donated US$20,000 to the Hoa Mai Orphanage Centre, the city’s Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, the Centre for Children in Difficult Situations, and the Charity Fund for Highland Children launched by the Trade Union organisation of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports.

Reporting by PHI NONG - Translating by M.DUNG