HCM City, Feb. 22 -- The VPBank VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City opened on February 21, attracting an unprecedented 12,000 runners from 50 countries and territories.

The event, with race to officially begin on early February 23, marks the opening of the 2025 VnExpress Marathon season and commemorates the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - 2025). It features a lineup of elite athletes, including three sub-2:30 marathoners from Africa who will compete against Vietnamese champions like Dan Quyet, Huynh Anh Khoi, Truong Van Tam, Hong Le, Tra Giang and My Duyen.

Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports Nguyen Nam Nhan said the third edition in HCM City demonstrates the growing appeal...