Impressive MetaSports Marathon Imperial Hue 2023
From mid-April, Hue streets appeared with banners and signs to welcome MetaSports Marathon Imperial Hue. After three seasons of organization, this is not only a sports event but also a "cultural" feature, a big festival of the ancient capital. The atmosphere of excitement and bustle creeps into every street corner when on the days of the organization, anywhere can hear stories around running. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh - Standing Vice Chairman of Thua Thien Hue Provincial People's Committee affirmed: "Not only for runners, the spirit of MetaSports Marathon Imperial Hue has spread far and wide to local people. They eagerly await the events. runner to the land of the ancient capital".
Three years after the first season, VM Hue 2023 has many changes to become the event that runners have been waiting for all over the country. The most obvious compared to the first season is 10,500 runners running on different routes, through more famous routes and landmarks of Hue.
The organizers make every effort to build the road so that it is both suitable for high achievement and has to introduce the unique features of the city. Each running step brings athletes across the big road, bearing many characteristics of Hue, green and flat. Like a distance of 42km, starting from Le Duan, runners passed Nguyen Trai, Nguyen Van Linh, Dinh Tien Hoang, Le Loi, To Huu, Vo Van Kiet,... along with three famous bridges spanning the Perfume River. - Truong Tien, Da Vien and Phu Xuan.
Thuy Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, VM Hue racetrack is no different from a tour. Along the 21km running track, Trang and her group of friends were able to see ancient buildings, Kinh Thanh, Phu Van Lau, Quoc Hoc School, Perfume River,... "The track is very beautiful. I feel the unique features of the land. This is a bit quiet, ancient but poetic. I am even more proud of the beauty and sacredness of Vietnamese culture," the female runner shared after completing the distance, on the morning of April 16.
Not only domestic runners, foreigners also give many compliments to the running track. Hazael Allen and Stephanie Meredith, from Wales, are teachers of an international school in Ho Chi Minh City, and registered for a 10km distance. Allen said she researched the route and was impressed with the experience. "We ran through a lot of historical sights of Hue. It helped us understand more about the local culture," Hazael Allen enjoys.
Hue identity is also reflected in the items for 10,500 runners. The first is a running shirt with triangular stripes inspired by Nhat Binh shirt - the cultural heritage of Hue ancient capital. Nhat Binh used for queens, concubines, princesses of the Nguyen Dynasty. After 1945, the national costume was loved by Hue women, chosen as a wedding dress. From a costume only for the royal court, Nhat Binh became popular, for everyone. The shirt's characteristic chlorophyll green color also evokes the image of a green city, transforming day by day.
The medal has a nostalgic design about the gold card and gold medal of the Nguyen Dynasty. Gold cards were used to record credit, distinguish identity, rank or have value as a passport in ancient society. Kim Khanh is a gift given to people with special merits. Items for the finishers are gold-colored, with a matte black coating effect on the entire front and back, creating an antique feel.
The name of the award is printed on the front, along with two famous monuments Ngu Phung floor, Phuoc Duyen tower. The background of the medal is decorated with royal rattan veins and a branch of porcelain flowers blooming on the mossy wall - typical of Hue in April.
Since before the tournament, many elite runners and running groups have predicted impressive numbers, the PR series was established because Hue has good competition conditions, cool weather, and flat running track. On race day, it started to rain at 3am. The prolonged rain became the highlight and challenge for the 10,500 runners who were eagerly waiting for the start signal.
In adverse weather, a team of hundreds of volunteers encouraged each other to get into position, constantly paying attention to runner observing signs on the road. The cheers and cheers were also louder. Volunteers at 12 one-way water stations and six two-way water stations remind athletes to provide adequate water and electrolytes. Hundreds of small traders at Dong Ba market, wearing conical hats, long dresses, and holding banners saying "Dong Ba Market accompanies MetaSports Marathon Imperial Hue". Despite the rain, Hue people poured into the street, enthusiastically cheering for the athletes.
The fire helps raise morale. Runner had an emotional race day that left many professional marks. Among them, the outstanding is Nguyen Van Lai. The national player won the 42km championship after 2 hours and 31 minutes, breaking Bui The Anh's achievement of 2 hours and 34 minutes in 2022. This is only the second time Lai has run a full marathon. Despite his high performance, he was a bit regretful when he didn't reach sub2:30 due to a time when his hip was bumped. The former SEA Games champion highly appreciated the MetaSports Marathon Imperial Hue 2023. He was also satisfied with the organization. and water points.
In the women's category, Pham Thi Binh proved her class when she won the VM for the third time after Quy Nhon and Nha Trang. This time, the former player wore his shoes, in contrast to the familiar barefoot image. She did not reach sub3 but the achievement of surpassing the second runner-up was 10 minutes. "This time, I wanted to protect my feet from injury following the advice of Uncle Doan Ngoc Hai, so I decided to change my strategy. These shoes are a gift from my uncle. I will always remember today's race," she said. .
The tournament witnessed the professional advancement as athletes' achievements continued to increase. 41 legs ran 42km in under three hours (sub3), an increase of 10 compared to 2022. All are famous male runners in the running community such as Le Van Tuan, Trieu Tien Luyen, Dan Quyet, Truong Van Tam . Even in order to break into the top 10 finalists, athletes must reach the milestone of 2 hours 47 minutes.
Expanding to sub3:30 (3 hours 30 minutes), VM Hue has 183 athletes, of which there are 14 women. Compared to last season, the number of people reaching this milestone has nearly doubled. In addition, 561 runners ran less than 4 hours. For the half marathon, 36 runners ran under 1 hour 30 minutes, an increase of 3 compared to the previous year, 148 ran under 1 hour 45 minutes. Two distances 21 and 42km attract up to 6,300 runners.
Compared to the previous two tournaments, VM Hue 2023 doubled the number of athletes participating, including about 2,000 Hue people. Neighboring central provinces such as Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Quang Binh, Da Nang and Thanh Hoa also contributed hundreds of runners. This is a large number when a few years ago, this area was still behind in the development of sports movements.
Mr. Nguyen Van Fong, Chairman of Thua Thien Hue Province, said, "The MetaSports Empire Marathon is a new trend for running in the ancient capital, which helps to change people's views on sports Since the championship, many running events with sizes ranging from hundreds to thousands of people have been continuously organized, creating an amusement park for the community. In the past three years, the number of people who want to train and compete has increased, including many different age groups. The number of clubs has increased, including three clubs with over 1000 members: Huhua Runners, Huhua Castle Runners, and Huhua Ironman Triathlon Club. The parks on both sides of the Huong River have become places for many people to walk, run, and ride bicycles every morning and evening.
"The award builds a love of sports for the public. In the past, very few people went to the banks of the Perfume River to play and exercise, but now it is very different. A series of parks and routes along the Perfume River have been opened by the city. decorate, light up at night and arrange sports equipment at many points to serve the people, "said Phuong.
Provincial President Nguyen Van Phuong is also one of thousands of runners participating in 5km on the morning of April 16. Provincial Party Secretary Phan Thien Dinh participated in the 10km distance. Many leaders, civil servants and officials of Hue consider the award an inspirational sporting event.
Minh An, Chairman of Quang Tri Runners Group, stated that in the past few years, VM Hue has been the biggest highlight of the central sports industry. Thanks to this award, neighboring areas have started to carry out physical exercise and pay more attention to health. Like Guangzhi Province, QTR initially had fewer than 10 members, but so far, hundreds of runners have regularly exercised, mainly civil servants and officials working in national institutions. Thanks to VM Hue, our training has become more enthusiastic and proactive. In 2023, we had 102 members set many personal achievement goals that exceeded their limits. We also invited relatives to participate in building a healthy and positive lifestyle, "An said.
The age of participating in running also becomes diverse, tends to be younger. More and more children are doing sports or multi-generational families are running. Ms. Le Thi Hoang Yen - Deputy Director of the General Department of Physical Education and Sports said that this is a good sign when many people respond to the sports movement, which means increased public health and better production.
Community value is a phrase Ms. Yen repeats many times when describing the meaning of running. Large-scale tournaments such as MetaSports Marathon have a wide spread, increase public health, and love for sports. Higher, the event contributes to the realization of the goal: "For a prosperous Vietnam" - as the slogan of the 2022 National Sports Festival.
Meanwhile, Mr. Pham Trong Nghiep - Head of the organizers of the tournament affirmed: "MetaSports Marathon wants to run not just a movement, it must become a lifestyle, an indispensable activity in the daily schedule." .
Thua Thien - Hue identifies the MetaSports Marathon Imperial Hue as a big event, attracting tens of thousands of tourists to come here in April and generating revenue for local tourism. "Through MetaSports Marathon, the image of Hue becomes more and more hospitable in the eyes of runners and tourists. This is especially important for a locality that is transforming and striving to become a centrally run city," said Mr. Nguyen Thanh. Binh - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee said.
Coming to Hue in April, runner, visitors can clearly feel the special interest of this locality for the event. From the airport, main roads, and hotels, there are banners to welcome athletes. This year, many large business households and hotels have registered for accommodation support programs and preferential price policies. 350 households volunteered to provide free public toilets for visitors.
10,500 runners can experience Huda products at the food court and many activities during the two days of Bib MetaSports Marathon Hue. This is the second time that the beer brand has accompanied the race with the desire that runners have a central experience when coming to Hue to attend the race.
When runners began to pour in, the city lived in an atmosphere of unprecedented bustle. Runners cover the main streets of Hue such as Pham Ngu Lao, Le Loi, Doi Cung, etc. Attractions such as the Citadel, Dong Ba market, pedestrian streets or tombs are full of tourists.
Huynh Thi Be, owner of a beef noodle shop, said she was looking forward to the MetaSports Marathon because it was an opportunity to generate great revenue from tourists and introduce local specialties to the community. Three days of the tournament, every day her goods sold more than 200 bowls. Many restaurants are full of runners, like the famous rice restaurant on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, diners arriving at rush hour have to wait more than 30 minutes to get a table. Mr. Bui Huu Anh, people in the area feel excited because Hue is vibrant and crowded. "Every time I have an award, I look forward to it because it's both fun and helps the city create more jobs and revenue for tourism," he said.
According to the province's data, in three days from April 14 to 16, Hue welcomed 32,000 visitors. Revenue from tourism is 55.5 billion VND. The monuments of the ancient capital of Hue free admission for runners, attracting 12,000 visitors. The figures are all increased compared to 2022 when the tournament is held on the Hung Kings Anniversary. Last year, Hue welcomed 22,000 visitors in 5 days from April 8 to 22, earning 41 billion VND.
Hoai Phuong
