VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City Midnight's running route is expected to impress runners with spacious start and finish areas, and several challenges including Ba Son Bridge.

The starting gate of all four distances is on Truong Dinh Street, outside Tao Dan Park. The finish line is on Le Duan Street, in front of the Zoo and Botanical Garden, about 2 km from the start point.

Course map of 5 km distance of VnExpress Marathon HCMC Midnight. Photo by VM

From Truong Dinh Street, runners of 5 km will run past several iconic routes of Saigon including Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Le Duan, and Dong Khoi..., as well as a series of landmarks such as the Independence Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and the Opera House.

Runners will turn around at the intersection of Vo Van Kiet - Ho Tung Mau to head to Ton Duc Thang, then run along Bach Dang Wharf and finally to the finish line on Le Duan.

The 5 km distance will not cover any bridges.

Course map of 10 km distance of VnExpress Marathon HCMC Midnight. Photo by VM

The 10 km running track is similar to the 5 km in the first half, but more challenging in the rest. Runners will cross Ba Son Bridge which is nearly 1.5km long, proceed to the Thu Thiem peninsula and Thu Thiem Bridge, and enter Nguyen Huu Canh Street to complete the race.

The 10 km running track will let runners feel the modern vibe of District 1 and the freshness and youthfulness of the new urban area.

Course map of 21 km distance of VnExpress Marathon HCMC Midnight. Photo by VM

The 21 km distance covers Nguyen Hue walking street, Mai Chi Tho area, Thu Thiem tunnel, and Sala urban area.

Runners can see the whole city sparkling under lights from a bird's eye view.

Course map of 42 km distance of VnExpress Marathon HCMC Midnight. Photo by VM

The 42 km running route is expanded to Vo Van Kiet, along Tau Hu Canal. Runners can experience a bustling nightlife of the city reflected in the canal. The cool, windy air will also comfort participants when they cross the Thoi Dai Bridge and run alongside the Saigon River.

To ensure the safety of participants, the organizers will set up 11 medical stations, 6 one-way water stations and 9 two-way ones, 10 mobile toilets.

Held for the first time, the VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City Midnight 2023 is expected to gather 10,000 runners. The race will start at midnight on February 12.

The weather on the race day is forcast to be cool, favorable to set personal records.

Source: VNE