The VPBank Hanoi Marathon, Vietnam's leading professional race, will accompany visually-impaired runners with the spirit of “Bright up Vietnam”.

The idea of ​​​​supporting visually-impaired runners to join running originated from Pham Binh Linh, who acts as a guide, a pacer and also the spiritual leader of this special group of runners. 

Sharing with the VPBank Hanoi Marathon, Mr. Linh said that this was quite a tough task those who have never experienced it, especially at the Start line, because for the visually-impaired people obstacles on the track would amplify many times.

Both the runner and the guide must be consistent in each cue; the guide shall repeatedly tell when coming to the turn, either left or right, when at the stairs, the guide must advise in advance the exact number of steps to take, or when crossing each road, the guide must remember to remind the runner to raise the feet...

Having gone through many difficulties, Linh still wants to emphasize the joy of accompanying the visually-impaired runners. He loves being able to 'tell' them about the roads, sharing the joy of finishing the race.

Although they cannot see, the perception of the visually-impaired people about the running track is clear in another way. Thanks to the guide's narration, they would remember very clearly where the lake is, the scent of the flower garden or the fresh air when running along the trees of the city.

For the first time joining the VPBank Hanoi Marathon 2022, Linh and the visually-impaired runners are extremely excited about the cool running track in Hanoi's autumn, considering this an opportunity to feel the street beauty of the capital with thousands of years of civilization in every running step.

The Race Organizing Committee of the VPBank Hanoi Marathon wishes Pham Binh Linh and the special group of runners much health to be able to spread this meaningful and humane activity to the running-loving community and replicate it in the whole society, supporting the dream of people with physical disabilities but with a strong love for sports in their hearts.

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Held annually since 2018, the VPBank Hanoi Marathon has become Hanoi’s official race and won recognition to be a member of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) since 2019, with a running track standardized by AIMS experts and the Vietnam Athletics Federation. The VPBank Hanoi Marathon has joined the Age Group Ranking System of Abbott World Marathon Majors. VPBank Hanoi Marathon results can be used to qualify at any of the World Six Majors, including the prestigious Boston Marathon.

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Race Date: October 16, 2022.

Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/VPBankHanoiMarathon

Should you have any question about the VPBank Hanoi Marathon, please email us at: hanoi.marathon@dhavietnam.vn.

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The Heritage Race system, owned and organized annually by DHA Vietnam, comprises of the VPBank Hanoi Marathon in October, the Halong Bay Heritage Marathon in November and the Can Tho Marathon - A Heritage Race in December.