First Vietnamese runner completes Spartathlon in Athens
Tran Duy Quang has become the first Vietnamese runner to complete the Spartathlon in Athens, Greece, by covering 246.8km.
Tran Duy Quang (second from left) at the Vietnam Mountain Marathon (Photo: laodong.vn)
The event is an ultra-distance foot race that takes place in September every year in Greece. It is one of the most difficult and satisfying ultra-distance races in the world because of its unique history and background.
Quang was the only Vietnamese representative out of 376 athletes running in the event.
He overcame many outstanding athletes to rank 40th with a time of 31:10.37.
Tamás Bódis from Hungary finished first with a time of 26:29.24. The runners-up were Zoltan Csecsei, also from Hungary, with a time of 27:16.59, and Brunner Radek of the Czech Republic with a time of 27:26.20.
The tournament follows the footsteps of Pheidippides, an ancient Athenian long distance runner, who in 490 BC, before the battle of Marathon, was sent to Sparta to seek help in the war between the Greeks and the Persians. According to ancient Greek historian Herodotus, Pheidippides arrived in Sparta the day after his departure from Athens.
Quang, 30, was the first Vietnamese runner to win the Vietnam Mountain Marathon over 100km in Sa Pa, Lao Cai province, which is one of the largest ultra-running events in Asia and a landmark event in Southeast Asia.
( VNF/VNA )
Most read
Recommended

Vietnam Moves Up 8 Places In World Happiness Index

Travelling Vietnam Through French Artist's Children Book

Vietnamese Turmeric Fish among Best Asian Dishes: TasteAtlas

From Lost to Found: German Tourist Thanks Vietnamese Police for Returning His Bag
Popular article

Prediction and Resolution for the Disasters of Humanity

16 French Films To Be Shown For Free During Tet Holiday In Vietnam

Unique Cultural and Religious Activities to Welcome Year of the Snake
