Interesting sharing from athletes participating in 'Marathon - With Faith, back to the region of Vi and Giam'

On the first day of the "Marathon - Returning to the Vi and Giam region with Faith", after checking in, before the opening ceremony, some athletes shared some interesting stories with Nghe An Newspaper reporters.

Mr. Ray Ruschert - Australian athlete: "This will be a special event for me and my son"

This is my first time in Vinh city. Compared to big cities like Ho Chi Minh city, Vinh is quite a quiet place. The streets here are wide and airy. I really like Ho Chi Minh Square. Very beautiful!

I have run marathons in Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau and Binh Duong in the South of Vietnam. I have also run some races in my home country of Australia, and in Siem Reap and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. But this is my first race in the North of Vietnam. I am running the 21km race, my second time running this distance. My goal has always been to complete the races.

Joining the tournament, my son will have his first experience running 21 km. And we will conquer this distance together. So, this will be a special event for us.

After tomorrow’s race, I plan to visit President Ho Chi Minh’s hometown, then take a tour of Vinh City. Next Monday, I will take the train to Hanoi, see new things in the North before returning home.

Ms. Phung Thi Thu Huong - General Director of Green Path Vietnam Company: "Hope for connection opportunities, not only in sports"

This Marathon gave us a very special feeling when we came here from Hanoi. I found that the Organizing Committee worked very professionally and thoughtfully, and the athletes had a great sportsmanship.

I hope that when coming to Vinh city, the athletes will spread that sports spirit and this will be an opportunity to connect, not only in sports but also related to economic and cultural factors of Vinh city and Nghe An province.

Mr. Doan Ngoc Hai - Former Vice Chairman of District 1 People's Committee (Ho Chi Minh City): "Beautiful impressions of Vinh city"

I started training for marathons in October 2019 and have participated in 58 marathons domestically and in 12 countries around the world at a distance of 42 km.

I have driven an ambulance across Vietnam 38 times before, and each time I stopped by Nghe An. However, due to urgent work, I did not have enough time to experience the land and people of Nghe An. However, since last night, I have witnessed many good things about the people of Vinh city, such as restaurants that do not force customers to take advantage; taxi drivers are very honest...

As for this marathon, I see many favorable conditions, such as this is Uncle Ho’s hometown, the race is held in the Square named after Uncle Ho – a beautiful, airy location, capable of hosting international marathons. I also see that the atmosphere of young people from Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Thanh Hoa provinces… coming to this race is relatively strong and positive.

Ms. Cao Ngoc Nhung - member of Vinh Runners Club (Vinh city): "The wonderful benefits of running"

For me, the biggest benefit I have seen from running is the amazing improvement in my health. Before, I often had colds and headaches, but since I started running, those illnesses have completely disappeared, and at the same time, my endurance has improved.

For the marathon organized by Nong Thon Viet Magazine right in my hometown, I could not help but participate and registered for the 21 km distance. With my age of U50, I only hope to achieve the goal of sub 1:30 and have many beautiful images on the running track.