Viettel Marathon demonstrates prestige and stature in its first organization

Following the success of the two stages in Luang Prabang (Laos) and Hanoi (Vietnam), the stage in Angkor Wat (Siem Riep, Cambodia) welcomed 9,000 athletes from many countries and territories around the world, including track and field athletes from countries in the region.

The final leg of the prestigious international race across 3 Indochinese countries, Viettel Marathon 2024 took place extremely attractively, captivatingly, truly a festival with the community of athletes and running enthusiasts from many countries around the world flocking to the famous historical relic complex of Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia.

The most exciting race was of course between elite athletes representing the three countries hosting the Viettel Marathon 2024 stages. Athletics record holders such as Nguyen Thi Oanh, Nguyen Van Lai, Trung Cuong, Pheara Vann, Terence Lai, Lodkeo Inthakoumman..., had an attractive and exciting competition, bringing excitement not only to the people watching and cheering but also encouraging the athletes themselves.

In the men's full marathon, record holder Nguyen Van Lai showed his class when he finished first with an impressive time of 2 hours 20 minutes 54 seconds - the second best result in the history of the Vietnamese men's marathon. Specifically, Lai's unofficial time of 2 hours 20 minutes 53 was only 1 minute behind Hoang Nguyen Thanh's national record of 2 hours 18 minutes 43 (set in January 2024), and nearly 1 minute more than Nguyen Chi Dong's 20-year-old milestone (2 hours 21 minutes 51).

Although satisfied with his achievement and performance, Lai still regrets that with the weather conditions and the running track, Lai shared: "I have never run on a beautiful track like Angkor Wat. If I had a rival and had performed at my best, I could have shortened my time by about 1 more minute." This is the first victory of the 38-year-old runner from the Vietnam Army Athletics in the full marathon distance at an international tournament held outside of Vietnam.

In the women's 21 km race, Nguyen Thi Oanh, after winning the full marathon in Vietnam on December 1, continued to win the 21 km race this morning with a time of 1 hour 21 minutes 15 seconds.

Meanwhile, in the men's 21km distance, Nguyen Trung Cuong won with a time of 1 hour 10 minutes 57 seconds.

In the particularly notable distance, the women's full marathon, former Vietnamese national athlete Pham Thi Hong Le finished first with a time of 2 hours 49 minutes 14 seconds. Following Hong Le was athlete Bui Thu Ha (2 hours 50 minutes 26 seconds).

The Angkor Wat stage award ceremony then took place with the participation of Mr. Ngo Van Tuat - Counselor of the Embassy of Vietnam in Cambodia, Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung - General Secretary of the Vietnam Athletics Federation, Mr. Bach Tien Tuan - Deputy General Director of Viettel Telecommunications Corporation, Mr. Cao Manh Duc - General Director of Metfone and representatives of regional and Asian Federations.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Mr. Cao Manh Duc said: “Viettel Marathon 2024 is part of a series of activities towards the 20th anniversary of Viettel mobile service business, organized by the Military Industry - Telecommunications Group in coordination with the Athletics Federations of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos under the consultation and supervision of the Asian Athletics Federation. The three stages of Viettel Marathon in the first year of organization were a great success, attracting a total of nearly 25,000 athletes from many countries and territories around the world to participate in the race, at 3 famous venues across Indochina: Luang Prabang - Hanoi - Angkor Wat. “Viettel Marathon 2024 has ended with wonderful and impressive images, not only in terms of achievements but also spreading the message of connection, sharing passion, love, as well as enhancing mutual understanding between athletes from all over the world. We are proud that Viettel Marathon not only contributes to spreading the sporting spirit but also strengthens the relationship between the three neighboring countries of Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia", Mr. Cao Manh Duc emphasized.

The first stage of Viettel Marathon 2024 took place in Luang Prabang, Laos and was welcomed and supported by local people and international athletes. With about 5,000 athletes participating in 4 distances of marathon (42.195km), half marathon (21.0975km), 10km and 5km, Viettel Marathon Luang Prabang Unitel 2024 is the first road race in Luang Prabang with a full marathon distance and the largest number of participants ever.

Viettel Marathon 2024 continues to be heated up in Hanoi, Vietnam on December 1, 2024. More than 10,000 people attended, including representatives of the Cambodian Embassy, ​​representatives of the Lao Embassy, ​​and many Lao and Cambodian students studying in Vietnam and athletes from 24 countries and territories around the world.

The fact that all three stages of Viettel Marathon meet AAA standards, are licensed by the Asian Athletics Federation, and have a total prize pool of up to 150,000 USD with many diverse and attractive prize categories has affirmed the professional quality and prestige of an international tournament in its first organization.