Around 5,000 runners are expected to line up for the Da Nang International Marathon on August 30th, announced the event's organising committee at a press conference yesterday. — Photo vov

DA NANG (VNS) — Around 5,000 runners are expected to line up for the Da Nang International Marathon on August 30th, announced the event's organising committee at a press conference yesterday.

This year will be the event's third year, bringing together both domestic and world athletes to compete in a marathon (42km), half marathon (21km) or Fun Run-n-Walk (5km).

The ‘Run for Peace' race will wind through the city, crossing three of its most beautiful bridges.

It is the first Vietnamese marathon certified by the IAAF-AIMS (International Amateur Athletics Association-Association of International Marathons and Distance Races), and consists of a two-lap route. It begins at 4am at the East Sea Park and will use the automatic timing system, Chronotrack, to clock runners' time.

The race will also raise donations for Agent Orange/dioxin victims in the city. A series of exhibitions and tourism events will take place at the East Sea Park to celebrate the marathon.

A sunset party will conclude the race starting at 6pm after the race.

Last year's race involved 4,000 participants, 400 of which were professional athletes from 27 countries and territories. According to organising committee, athletes who finish the Da Nang International Marathon gain eligibility for the Boston Marathon.

Athletes can register for the marathon at the web address www.rundanang.com, or in person at Da Nang's Vietnam TravelMart, 68 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, or HCM City's Pulse Active company, eighth floor, 47 Phung Khac Khoan Street, District 1.

Fees vary from US$5 to $90 for both Vietnamese and foreign athletes for the three distances.

The race was organised by the city's Culture, Sport and Tourism Department, the World Marathon Company and Pulse Active. — VNS