Overview
editHalong Bay Heritage Marathon is a marathon event hosted in the city of Quang Ninh, Vietnam.[1] The race began in 2015 and became an annual event in 2016. It features a running course that loops around Ha Long Bay. The event is one of Ha Long city’s annual cultural and sports events promoting international tourism. [1] [2]
The race course is a loop course that connects two cities: Ha Long and Cam Pha through a mountain tunnel.[3] The start and finish line is located at the Quang Ninh Exhibition of Planning and Expo Center.[4]
History
editHalong Bay Heritage Marathon first began in 2014 as a color run event hosted by DHA Vietnam with the slogan “I love my motherland.” In 2015, the event became the Halong Bay Half Marathon, supported by the Halong Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.[5]
In 2016, the race expanded its distances to include a Full Marathon (42 km), Half Marathon (21 km), a 10km race, and a 2 km fun run and adopted the name “Halong Bay Heritage Marathon.” [6] The race attracted 800 Vietnamese and foreign runners. [7]
In 2017, the 2 km fun run was lengthened to be 5 km.
The race was accredited by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF, now World Athletics) in 2019.[8]
In 2020, the race was hosted amidst the COVID-19 pandemic with precautionary measures that ensure the safety of its runners.[9][10]
Halong Bay Heritage Marathon 2024 will serve as the host event of the 24th World Congress of AIMS.[11]
Organization
editThe marathon's Organizing Committee includes DHA Vietnam, a Hanoi-based professional event-hosting company in cooperation with the Ha Long municipal government, the Department of Sports and Culture of Ha Long, and Vietnam Athletics Federation.
DHA Vietnam[edit]
editDHA Vietnam Ltd., established in 2012, is a Hanoi-based limited liability company (LLC) which specializes in technology transfer, advertising, and event management. Since its first year, the company has hosted sports, culture, and tourism events and professional conferences based in Vietnam, like Standard Chartered Hanoi Marathon, Happy Colour Run, Thang Long International Conference on Cardiology 2018, and FIG Working Week 2019, and the 24th World Congress of AIMS in 2024.[12] The company has also shared partnerships with many international organizations like the World Bank, UNESCO, and Standard Chartered Bank.
Race
editParticipants may compete in four distance categories: Full Marathon (42.2 km (26.2 mi)), Half Marathon (21 km (13 mi)), the 10-km (6.2 mi) run, and the 5-km (3.1 mi) Fun Run.
The race usually takes place late November in Ha Long city. The average temperature fluctuates between 19ºC and 25ºC (between 66ºF and 77ºF). The humidity at this time tends to be high, although there will not be much rain.[13]
Course
editThe race course is a looped course. The start and finish line is located next to the Quang Ninh Exhibition of Planning and Expo Center. The course runs through multiple local points of interest such as Bai Chay Beach, Tuan Chau Park, Halong Night Market, Quang Ninh Museum, and Bai Tho Mountain.[14]
- ^ "A natural allure that captivates | Distance Running magazine 2024 Edition 2 | Race previews". aims-worldrunning.org. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ VIR, Vietnam Investment Review- (2023-11-20). "2023 Halong Bay Heritage Marathon a success". Vietnam Investment Review - VIR. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ VIR, Vietnam Investment Review- (2023-11-18). "Halong Bay Heritage Marathon marks 60 years of Quang Ninh province". Vietnam Investment Review - VIR. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ "General Information". HALONG BAY HERITAGE MARATHON. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ "Halong Bay Half Marathon: Running Events for Expat &Vietnamese - November 28th, 2015 | Saigonist - Expat Living in Vietnam". www.saigonist.com. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ "Road Running: Halong Bay Heritage Marathon". Asia Trail Master. 2016-04-27. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus) (2016-11-24). "Over 800 athletes to race at Ha Long Bay Heritage Marathon". Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus). Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ VIR, Vietnam Investment Review- (2019-11-25). "Some 3,000 runners take on Halong Heritage Marathon". Vietnam Investment Review - VIR. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ "Quang Ninh hosts Halong Bay Heritage Marathon 2020". VOV.VN. 2020-11-22. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ VIR, Vietnam Investment Review- (2020-07-18). "Safety concerns raised after ill-fated marathon tragedy". Vietnam Investment Review - VIR. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ "AIMS: The home of world running". aims-worldrunning.org. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ "AIMS: The home of world running". aims-worldrunning.org. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ "Halong Bay Weather in November: Historical Temperature, Rainfall & Humidity". www.vietnamonline.com. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ "Halong Bay Heritage Marathon 2024 - Race Details - Marathon Runners Diary". www.marathonrunnersdiary.com. Retrieved 2024-09-16.