Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - A new running event, OneWay Marathon – Step overYour Limit, was launched on December 6 on the beautiful island of Cat Ba, thenorthern port city of Hai Phong.

The island's first-ever running event on December 12 is expected to giverunners a unique experience and precious bonuses at home.

"OneWay will be different from other marathons as competitors will runthrough the most beautiful routes on Cat Ba Island in the afternoon," saidBui Minh Tuan, head of the organising board, at a press briefing in Hanoi onDecember 6.

"We choose three routes of 5km, 10km and 21km based on the advice of the VietnamAthletics Federation officials. All routes are designed to help Cat Ba show offits magnificent landscape and fresh air.

"Runners will enjoy splendid views of nature under the stunning sunset onthe beach. However, they also face challenges when passing through the island'sparks, forests, and hilly and downhill routes, especially the 21km track. It isa tourism sport event," he said.

Tuan said more than 3,000 professional and amateur runners have registered toparticipate in the marathon. He expects that many more people will join therace after the official launch.

Organisers will deliver 24 prizes to top runners in three categories.

Female winners will take home an electric motorbike from sponsors VinFast, andanother will be given to the winner of the Lucky Draw at the OneWay MarathonFestival on December 12.

Part of the cash collected from the marathon will be given to Operation Smile,an international medical charity that has provided hundreds of thousands offree surgeries for children and young adults in developing countries who areborn with cleft lip, cleft palate, or other facial deformities. Tenscholarships will be delivered to poor students of Cat Ba, while another partwill support treatment for infertile couples across the country.

Taking part in the briefing, Nguyen Quang Vinh, deputy chairman of the Cat Haidistrict People's Committee, welcomed runners and their families and friends toCat Ba.

"Cat Ba has been one of the must-visit destinations in Vietnam for bothlocal and international tourists for years. We are an archipelago which iscomposed of more than 36 islands. We are one of the world's Biosphere Reservesand member of the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays of the World," Vinhsaid.

"Coming to Cat Ba, visitors will have a chance to enjoy the wonders ofnature, the idyllic way of life, and the savoury seafood."

He added the local authority and organisers were working hard to complete thefinal touches for the tournament. Runners and tourists will be treated to thebest hospitality and natural beauty on the islands.

The tournament is co-organised by the Doanh Nhan Tre (Young Businessmen) onlinemagazine, Voice of Vietnam and the Vietnam Journalist Association./.