Vietnam Mountain Marathon 2019 wraps up

The annual event, the biggest of its kind was co-hosted by the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Topas Travel Company under the auspices of the Danish Embassy in Vietnam.

It attracted over 4,000 athletes from 46 countries and territories who competed in 10km, 15km, 21km, 42km, 70km and 100km races along Hoang Lien Son mountain, which is considered to have the most challenging course in Vietnam.

Prominent among the participating athletes is Italian marathoner Francesca Canepa, champion of the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc Europe in 2018 and defending champion of the VMM 2018.

At the closing ceremony, the organising board presented proceeds to Operation Smile, New Borns Vietnam charity organisations and poverty reduction programmes in Lao Cai.

Held for the first time in 2013, the VMM has become one of the biggest terrain marathon events in Asia, contributing to charity activities and attracting foreign visitors to Lao Cai