DA NANG (VNS) — More than 400 athletes from 20 countries and territories will participate in the Da Nang International Marathon 2014 on August 31.

Vice director of the city's culture, sport and tourism department Nguyen Phuc Linh announced this at the event's press conference on Monday.

The marathon is being held in the city for the second time, with the first edition being held last year.

"This year's race is expected to be exciting as the Da Nang International Marathon has been included in the schedule of the International Amateur Athletics Association-Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (IAAF-AIMS)," Linh told reporters.

"Viet Nam is the 97th member of the IAAF-AIMS and strong foreign contenders are expected to participate in the marathon," Linh said.

The participants will run the full marathon (42km), half marathon (21km) and the 5km Fun Run.

The winners in the men's and women's events will walk away with a cash prize of VND7 million (US$330) each, while the runners-up and those finishing in third place will get VND5 million ($238) and VND3 million ($143) respectively.

The winners of the half marathon will pocket VND5 million ($238), while the runners-up and those finishing in third place will get VND3 million ($143) and VND2 million ($95), respectively.

The organising committee also said that more than 3,000 local people and tourists will participate in the Fun Run.

Last year, 400 athletes from 25 countries and territories participated in the marathon, while more than 3,000 people took part in the Fun Run.

The committee said that the full marathon consists of a two-lap route, starting from the East Sea Park. The participants in the half marathon will run one lap.

A Beach Party and a Sport and Tourism Expo will be held on the My Khe beach and the East Sea Park on the same day.

People can register for the marathon at www.rundanang.com or www.facebook.com/DaNangInternationalMarathon.

Last year, Nguyen Van Long from Gia Lai won the men's marathon with a time of two hours, 56 minutes and 31 seconds, while Pham Quynh Le won the women's event. — VNS