HA NOI — Truong Thanh Hang easily defended her title in the women's 5km event at the Tien Phong (Vanguard) newspaper's national cross-country run and semi-marathon in Hue City on Sunday.

SEA Games gold medallist in the 800 and 1,500m, Hang won the title at last year's event in Dac Nong Province, becoming seven-time champion alongside Dang Thi Teo.

"I am very happy with this year's gold medal, initially only wanting to test my strength. However, the result will be a driving force in helping me qualify for the London Olympics this summer," she said.

In the men's 10km discipline, Nguyen Van Lai also managed to defend his title, won last year.

Hai Duong's Tran Thi Mai and Quang Tri's Nguyen Tuan Tri won additionally gold medals in the U14-15 girls' 2km and boys' 3km events, respectively, while Lam Dong's Dinh Hoang Phuc and Da Nang's Vo Thi Ngoc Hanh palmed gold in the U16-17 age group. Phuc won the 5km and Hanh the 3km races.

In the 21km semi-marathon event, Quang Ngai's Pham Thi Binh and Gia Lai's Nguyen Van Long won the women's and men's title, respectively.

It is the 53rd time that Tien Phong has organised the national tournament, which attracted around 300 athletes from 34 sporting delegations across the country this year. — VNS