Improvements on the VnExpress Marathon Quy Nhon 2023 running route

VM Quy Nhon race course optimizes runner experience by upgrading water stations, medical facilities , restrooms, and detailed signage system.

For the first time in the VnExpress Marathon system, restrooms will be located right after the water station and medical station, creating a chain of interconnected facilities. Compared to the 8 restrooms of last year's race, VM Quy Nhon 2023 increased the number to 18. The organizing committee carefully studied the location of the utility stations 2 km apart to help runners receive the fastest support. Only the water station located in the middle of Thi Nai bridge does not have a restroom to ensure the environmental landscape.

VnExpress Marathon Quy Nhon, held on June 11, is also the first race to apply a new sign system including navigation signs, notice signs, milestone markers, and cut-off time signs. The navigation signs have a yellow background, the direction of travel is placed in a blue circle, and the symbols are white. The organizers chose these colors after going through a practical testing process in many conditions from midnight, early morning, to daytime. Runners can easily observe the signs thanks to the prominent colors.

The fourth season's running route still retains the characteristics of previous seasons. In particular, the 21km distance has changed the route. Runners will start at 4am, will not run along the beach like last year but will turn towards Nguyen Tat Thanh, conquer Thi Nai bridge, then run a section on Phuong Mai peninsula. The running route has two COT points at km 16 at 6:40am and km 19 at 7:10am. The organizing committee will close the 21km running route at 7:30am. At each COT point, there is a sign system. Runners who run slower than the time limit (encountering a COT sign) will be disqualified regardless of the reason.

The 42k distance remains almost the same as in 2022. Runners start from Nguyen Tat Thanh Square at 3am, run onto An Duong Vuong Street then turn around and run along the beach on Xuan Dieu Street. Runners continue on Nguyen Tat Thanh, cross 5 Ha Thanh bridges before going up Thi Nai Bridge towards Phuong Mai Peninsula. Awaiting runners are sand dunes, wind farms with a panoramic view of Thi Nai Lagoon. This distance has 4 COT points at km 26 at 7am, km 33 at 8am, km 37 at 8:45am and km 40 at 9:10am.

The 5km distance starts 15 minutes after the 10km distance, at 4:45. Runners run on the Xuan Dieu coastal road, watching the sunrise over the sea and the rhythm of life in Quy Nhon city on a new day. The 10km distance starts 15 minutes earlier, including the 5km route, plus a section on Nguyen Tat Thanh street.

All distances of VM Quy Nhon 2023 are AIMS certified. Runners can use their results at the race as part of the criteria to register for the biggest marathons in the world such as Boston Marathon, London Marathon,...

Runners pour onto Thi Nai Bridge from Phuong Mai Peninsula to return to the city center. Photo: VM

For many years, VM Quy Nhon has been the most challenging race in the VnExpress Marathon system. Taking place in the middle of summer, the sunny weather, low humidity, combined with steep bridges, turns the race into a test of the athletes' physical strength and will. To overcome the challenge, the running groups have runners practice at high intensity with exercises adapted to the heat.

Successfully conquering VM Quy Nhon, 10,000 runners will receive medals inspired by the indomitable spirit of the martial arts land. The medals evoke the fierce spirit of King Quang Trung and are inspired by the ancient Cham towers as a reward to recognize the runners' efforts to overcome challenges. In addition, for athletes who register early, the organizers will also give finisher hats for the 21km distance and finisher pieces for the 42km distance - items appearing for the first time.

Hoai Phuong

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