Jungle Marathon Viet Nam, an endurance race covering a total length of 240km, will be held in the central city of Dong Hoi in Quang Binh Province from May 31 to June 9, race volunteer Mai Nguyen Dinh Huy said.

Covering six stages through forests of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, including parts of the former Ho Chi Minh Trail, and the border with Laos, the competitors will return to Dong Hoi City for a stunning finish on beach.

Huy added around 30 athletes from over the world have registered to compete in the race, which is reserved for a maximum of 60 competitors.

The Jungle Marathon, voted the world's toughest endurance race by CNN, has been organised for the first time in Viet Nam.

"Competitors will run through jungle and spend nights in caves as well and crossing mountains and waterfalls in six days. The fifth stage will be expected the toughest when athletes have to race through the night," Huy said in a phone interview.-VNS