While the Philippines has just announced another extension of Enhanced Community Quarantine for its major metropolitan centers, Vietnam seems to be the best in the region at getting a handle on their COVID-19 situation. They have now recorded their eighth day of no new cases reported, and Hanoi has just lifted their social distancing measures.
So it looks like all systems are go for the Manulife Danang International Marathon, set for August 8-9, 2020 in the beautiful coastal destination of Danang.
The race has been held since 2013, offering five distances: marathon, half-marathon, 10km, 5km, and the Ronny Dash – 1.5km for kids 3-10 years old. It was the first marathon in Vietnam to be certified by AIMS and has traditionally attracted not just Vietnamese runners but also international competitors, due to Danang’s location between historic destinations Hue and Hoi An.
Danang is Vietnam’s third-largest city, and the marathon course takes participants over five of the city’s iconic bridges and ends along the sea where the most enthusiastic local volunteers await.
For many years I’d been looking to do the Danang International Marathon, and this year was supposed to be it — until the pandemic struck. I’m still hoping for better news come June, but I’m under no illusions that Filipinos will be able to travel overseas soon. I’m not sure either if Vietnam will lift its mandatory 14-day quarantine requirement for all new arrivals to the country.
So I guess I’m writing this sending good thoughts and health to Vietnamese runners in hopes that they will support the Danang International Marathon. For those of us coming from elsewhere on the planet, we will wait until we’re confident we can come to Vietnam without bringing the threat of the novel coronavirus into its borders. I hope that I can come join the festivities next year!
For latest updates, follow Manulife Danang International Marathon on Facebook. Visit RunDanang.com for more information or to register.
