Vietnam Marathon sets new record.

The Vietnam Athletics Federation today recognized runner Hoang Nguyen Thanh's achievement at the 2024 Hong Kong Marathon as a new national record.

In a document signed by Secretary General Nguyen Manh Hung on January 23, the Vietnam Athletics Federation recognized Nguyen Thanh for breaking the national record with a time of 2 hours 18 minutes and 43 seconds at the Hong Kong Marathon on January 21.

The previous record belonged to the legendary Nguyen Chi Dong, with a time of 2 hours, 21 minutes, and 51 seconds when he won the silver medal at the 22nd SEA Games in Hanoi in 2003.

Hoang Nguyen Thanh (right) with coach Tran Doan Minh Thien and Hoang Thi Ngoc Hoa after finishing the Hong Kong Marathon on January 21. Photo: Facebook/Hoang Nguyen Thanh

The Hong Kong Marathon 2024 is recognized by the World Athletics Federation as the Asian Marathon Championship. Nguyen Thanh is participating in this race as an athlete nominated by the Vietnam Athletics Federation.

The Hong Kong Marathon course is also measured and classified as a Gold Label Road Race by World Athletics – a group of the world's top road running races. Athletes participating in the Hong Kong Marathon can use their results to qualify for the Olympics – 2 hours 8 minutes 10 seconds for men, and 2 hours 26 minutes 50 seconds for women.

Before heading to Hong Kong for the competition, Nguyen Thanh's personal best was 2 hours 25 minutes and 07 seconds, set when he won the gold medal in the SEA Games 31 marathon at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi in 2022.

Nguyen Thanh is an athlete from Binh Phuoc province and has been one of Vietnam's top long-distance runners for about nine years. He rose to prominence when he won a bronze medal in the marathon at the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore on his first appearance at the Games.

Later, injuries almost forced the athlete to retire. In late 2017, Nguyen Thanh requested to leave the Binh Phuoc athletics team to return home and learn a trade, then worked for a garment company.

Returning to the track in 2019, Nguyen Thanh has consistently shone. This runner won the national marathon championship for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2023. Nguyen Thanh also became the first Vietnamese athlete in history to win a gold medal in the SEA Games marathon with a victory on home soil at My Dinh Stadium in 2022.

Before heading to the Hong Kong Marathon on January 21st, Nguyen Thanh also set a national record in the half-marathon on January 1st. At that time, he finished first in the Hanoi International Half Marathon with a time of 1 hour 6 minutes and 39 seconds, breaking the previous record of 1 hour 7 minutes and 99 seconds held by his teammate in the national athletics team, Do Quoc Luat.

Regulations for obtaining national record recognition
1. The competition must have an organizing committee, with representatives appointed by the official federations to supervise or participate in the organizing committee.
2. Facilities meet the standards of the IAAF or a national federation that recognizes them.
3. Equipment and tools meet the required standards.
4. Wind speed must not exceed +2 m/s

Xuan Dieu - Quynh Chi

Source link: https://vnexpress.net/marathon-viet-nam-co-ky-luc-moi-4704152.html