Viet Nam will host its biggest ever international marathon next year, announced the Viet Nam Athletics Federation (VAF).

The announcement came after five-years of discussion for a sponsorship agreement between VAF and the Malaysian firm Octagon, said VAF’s Chief Officer Nguyen Manh Hung.

In the initial agreement, Octagon will cover the hosting costs of the marathon with a sum of US$85,000 in the first year. The figure will be increased by $5,000 each following year. However, Octagon will come to Viet Nam for more detailed discussion soon to finalise the contract, said Hung.

The VAF will organise the marathon in collaboration with world running stars to ensure the race is a prestigious athletics event.

“We will make sure VAF invites the best athletes to race in the marathon,” Hung confirmed.

“It’s expected that the race will attract 2,000 athletes in different racing categories, including marathon, half marathon, 10km and 7km. Athletes will race for valuable prizes,” he said. He also added that if the race is well-organised, it could be added to the annual roster of the Asian Athletics Association.

Last year, Viet Nam successfully hosted a leg of the Asian Athletics Association Grand Prix Series at Ha Noi’s My Dinh National Stadium.

Viet Nam ranked third overall within the South and Southeast Asian group to win a $30,000 cash-prize in the final leg of the Standard Chartered Bank’s Greatest Race on Earth (GROE) in Hong Kong last month.

The GROE is a unique marathon team relay series that VAF expects Viet Nam to host a stage of sometime in the future.

So far only Singapore has had the honour of hosting a GROE leg in the Southeast Asian region.

A source from the Ha Noi Athletics Federation said the capital plans to resume International Athletics Championships – Ha Noi Open in April after a one year hiatus.

Late next month, VAF will also host the annual National Marathon Race in Nha Trang City in Khanh Hoa Province.

VietNamNet/VNS