Hanoi Peace Run Finalists to See 5,000 Participants, International Flair

The 51st Hanoi Newspaper Cup Marathon "For Peace" final race is scheduled to take place on September 27th in Vietnam's capital, Hanoi. This traditional community marathon is expected to draw approximately 5,000 athletes and dignitaries, with various competitions and supporting activities to be held around Hoan Kiem Lake. This event is one of Hanoi's key sporting activities, celebrating the 72nd anniversary of the Capital Liberation and the 27th anniversary of Hanoi's recognition as a "City for Peace" by UNESCO. With over 50 years of history, the Hanoi Newspaper Cup Marathon has a proven track record of discovering numerous talented young athletes in Vietnamese athletics. Past participants who have achieved success nationally and internationally include Nguyen Chi Dong, Tran Van Dang, Nguyen Thi Tinh, and Dang Thi Teo. The final race will feature around 3,000 Vietnamese athletes from various districts, universities, and vocational schools across Hanoi. Additionally, approximately 2,000 participants will include leaders from central government and Hanoi city, representatives from international organizations, ministries, businesses, police, and military personnel. Cultural, Information, and Sports Centers from 126 communes and wards in Hanoi will also join in a supportive run. Notably, the event will host about 250 foreign athletes from 20 countries, including embassy and international organization staff from the USA, Brunei, Laos, Cambodia, Cuba, India, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Singapore. Mr. Nikko Huelgas, husband of the Deputy Ambassador of the Philippines to Vietnam and a former Philippine national track and field athlete who won two SEA Games gold medals, will also participate. Competitions will be divided into three categories: general running, elite running for national team athletes, and sponsor running. The general running category includes distances for junior and senior high school students (1,750m), university/vocational school female students and foreigners (1,750m), university/vocational school male students and foreigners (3,500m), and workers/armed forces female (3,500m) and male (5,250m) participants. The elite category will feature women's 5,250m and men's 8,750m races. The sponsor category will have individual competitions for men and women over 1,750m. The total prize money exceeds 300 million VND (approximately $12,000 USD). Awards will be given for individual rankings, team awards for sponsoring units, and overall championships across three divisions: communes/wards, universities/vocational schools, and the open category. New this year are the addition of a sponsor category and the expansion of encouragement prizes up to 15th place to enhance the event's appeal and motivate participants.