The second VnExpress Marathon Da Nang kicked off with 11,000 athletes. At 2:30 a.m. on 20/7, the 42km race started on Phan Dang Luu Street.

After about 30 minutes of racing, the group competing for the championship was determined. Huynh Anh Khoi and Nguyen Van Long broke away from the pack, vying for the lead from around kilometer 7.

However, by kilometer 16, Huynh Khoi was once again seen with a significant lead. The 2003-born runner maintained the top position until the finish line, winning the championship after 2 hours 40 minutes 31 seconds.

Nguyen Van Long decided to DNF when he felt exhausted and nauseous.

The competition for 2nd place in the following group was just as fierce. Japanese athlete Shohei Miyamoto (black shirt), Dan Quyet, Dao Ba Thanh, and others ran together for most of the race.

However, only about 2km from the finish line, the Japanese runner couldn't maintain his pace. Elite runner Dang Anh Quyet sprinted, overtaking Shohei Miyamoto. As a result, the Japanese runner finished with a time of 2 hours 47 minutes 50 seconds, about 1 minute behind Dan Quyet.

In the women's category, young athlete Pham Huynh Yen Thu (white shirt) showed confidence right from the start.

The 20-year-old runner led the entire race, but about 100m from the finish line, she began to feel dizzy and struggled to take each step toward the finish. However, she couldn't continue, giving up about 50m from the championship. The female runner was taken by ambulance to the hospital.

Behind her, Le Thi Ha seized the opportunity to finish and win the championship. Pham Thi Binh finished third.

The 21km race was equally exciting with many familiar faces like Edwin Kiptoo, Vong Vanh Long, Le Dinh Tuong, and more. All have a proven track record at VnExpress Marathon.

Trailing Kiptoo and Le Dinh Tuong for most of the race, Vong Vanh Long didn't give up. He was determined to break his second-place streak at VnExpress Marathon.

Long broke away from his two formidable opponents after crossing the Tran Thi Ly Bridge, running solo for the last 2km of the race. The Lam Dong native won with a time of 1 hour 12 minutes 10 seconds.

Kiptoo didn't seem to be in top form after a long period of continuous competition. He had just put all his effort into a marathon the previous weekend, so he only ran 21km when he arrived in Da Nang.

The Kenyan runner expressed regret at finishing second.

In the women's half marathon, Doan Thi Oanh faced no real competition. Despite the heat, she finished in 1 hour 24 minutes 12 seconds, more than 4 minutes ahead of second-place finisher Le Thi Bich. Tran Duyen finished third.

Le Trong Phu won the men's 5km race. The teacher from Hue had previously caused a stir when he ran barefoot to finish second at VnExpress Ha Long on 1/6. This time, he won.

Cam Anh won the women's 5km race.

The streets of Da Nang were lively and colorful on the morning of 20/7. The race route was completely separated from traffic to ensure the safety of the athletes.

Tourists stayed up all night to cheer on the runners.

Athletes posed with the national flag in front of Tien Son Sports Palace.

An international athlete stopped at a water station to cool off.

Runner Vo Duc Duong dressed as a soldier carrying the national flag while running the 21km race.

At 7 a.m., a large number of 10km runners conquered the Dragon Bridge. On the sidewalks, many people were doing their morning exercises.

Meanwhile, 42km runners immersed themselves in the bustling life of the early morning boat docks.

42km runners poured water over themselves to cool off.

Singer Ai Phuong completed the 21km race. She has been running for two years and was recognized by many runners along the way.

As the sky brightened, a large number of runners flocked to the two finish lines to receive their medals. 42km runners finished the race at Bien Dong Park, while other distances finished at Tien Son Sports Palace.

Lan Anh