This weekend, thousands of Vietnamese runners competed with foreign athletes from 51 countries in the 10km, 21km, 50km, 70km and 100km distances in the 10th edition of the Vietnam Mountain Marathon (VMM).
For many seasoned runners, completing a 42km marathon on flat roads is a proud achievement in itself.
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| On the running route of Vietnam Mountain Marathon 2023. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
However, with VMM 2023, athletes must go beyond the usual limits to run 50km, 70km and 100km with challenging rugged mountainous terrain.
The men's 100km champion was Nguyen Tien Hung (Hung Hai) of Vietnam, who finished the race in an impressive time of 12:54:04. In the women's 100km category, Man Yee Cheung from Hong Kong took first place with a time of 16:48:26.
The top spot in the men’s 70km category was taken by Arnie Macaneras from the Philippines with a time of 08:40:48. In the women’s category, Akane Nemoto from Japan took the top spot with a time of 13:17:42.
The men's 50km champion was John Ray Onifa from the Philippines with a total time of 05:06:27, while the women's 50km champion was Vanja Cnops from Belgium with a time of 06:41:14,
In the 21km distance, the British couple won the men's and women's categories. They were Fiin Lydon, a young man from England with a total time of 2:13:22, and Fiin Lydon's girlfriend Ellen Crombie, who finished with a time of 2:31:47.
The 10km distance started at 7am on September 24th in the center of Sapa town with nearly 900 athletes competing.
The first place in the men’s category was John Ray Onifa from the Philippines with a time of 58:27. Second place was Sung Lung from Vietnam with a close time of 58:34. Third place went to Nguyen Xuan Tu from Vietnam, a very familiar face at VMM, with a time of 1:04:53.
In the women's category, the champion was Tran Thi Duyen from Vietnam, with a time of 1:09:48. Second place went to Bui Thi Binh, Vietnam with a total time of 1:12:25.
At this year’s VMM, the organizer Topas Travel continues its commitment to charity activities that have been carried out over the past 10 years. The total amount of money raised from the Topas Vietnam Trail Series races is over VND10 billion (USD420,000).
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| The race attracted more than 4,000 domestic and foreign athletes. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
In addition to projects in many localities along the race route, charities that receive support from the race include Operation Smile, Blue Dragon Children's Foundation and Newborns Vietnam.
All of these charities will also have their own teams participating in the run to raise funds and awareness in the community. Following the recent devastating floods in Lao Cai province, the Organizing Committee will also contribute money to the province's flood relief fund.
| Vietnam Mountain Marathon 2013 is the first ultra-long distance trail race in Vietnam (ultra-long is considered longer than 42km marathon distance, usually 50km or more). This event offers the opportunity for athletes to run distances of 10km, 21km, 50km, 70km and 100km through the majestic mountains surrounding Sapa Town (Lao Cai). |
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