Athletes perform a flag-raising ceremony before the start. As an official activity of Khanh Hoa Province, leading up to the 80th anniversary of National Day on 2/9, the VnExpress Marathon Libera Nha Trang arranged for athletes to salute the flag and sing the national anthem before competing to boost morale.

The fourth VnExpress Marathon Libera Nha Trang took place on 24/8. The four distances started at 2/4 Square, home to the Tram Huong Tower, a cultural symbol of Khanh Hoa Province.

From 1 a.m., the area was bustling as 42km runners gathered to warm up and take photos before the race. As usual, this was the opening distance of the race, starting at 2:30 a.m.

Runners pass by Ba Lang Parish Church. This building was inaugurated in 2022 with a blend of Eastern and Western architectural styles.

Nha Trang's streets shine brightly during the VnExpress Marathon Libera Nha Trang. Khanh Hoa Province stated it provided full support and wanted the event to become a brand of sports tourism for the province.

From the central square, 42km and 21km runners headed north. At the south gate, groups of 5km and 10km runners ran in the opposite direction, spreading throughout the streets, creating an impressive sight.

Notably, the 10km and 21km runners started together at 4 a.m., creating a crowd of nearly 7,000 people as Nha Trang prepared to greet the sunrise.

The Libera Nha Trang coastal urban area welcomes 21km and 42km runners. Pham Van Dong Boulevard in this area is a new addition to this year's race route.

Tran Phu Bridge is part of the 21km and 42km routes. The bridge spans the Cai River and is a popular spot for locals and tourists to enjoy the scenery, especially at sunset or at night when illuminated by LED lights.

Besides its role in connecting traffic, Tran Phu Bridge is also a symbol of the coastal city's modern architecture.

Luong Son Pass - a signature feature of the Nha Trang race route - as seen from above. From the pass, runners can enjoy panoramic views of Nha Trang Bay at sunrise.

This year, Luong Son Pass is only included in the 42km route, spanning approximately 7 km. On race day, this section of the pass was completely closed to ensure runner safety and enhance the experience.

From the pass, runners can also admire the Libera Nha Trang coastal urban area before turning back to the finish line in the city center.

The Do Theater, located in the Libera coastal urban area, is a new architectural symbol of the coastal city. Inspired by a fisherman's basket boat, the building was awarded a Vietnam Record certificate as the "Theater with the most unique indigenous architecture inspired by the largest basket boat in Vietnam".

In addition to its architectural significance, the Do Theater is also known for its "Life Puppets" art program. The show combines traditional water puppetry with modern forms like string puppets, animation puppets, contemporary dance, and creatively arranged folk music.

As daylight broke, many runners finished at the seaside square. Many chose to swim in the sea after the race as a way to recover physically and mentally after the long run.

The VnExpress Marathon Libera Nha Trang concluded at 11 a.m. on 24/8 after the awards ceremony.

Lan Anh