Hanoi (VNA) – Marathon runner Le Van Tuan, one of theoldest athletes of Vietnam at the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEAGames 31), is a gold medal hopeful for Vietnam at the regional sports event thanks tohis rich experience and strong resilience, according to the national organising committee for SEA Games 31.

The 38-year-old won a place at the SEA Games 31 after he wonthe VPBank Hanoi Marathon 2020.

He proved that his age is not an obstacle for him by leavingtwo younger runners Trinh Quoc Luong and Dao Minh Chi far behind at thecompetition, finishing the 42.195km race at 2:27:41.

“I’ve never thought that I am a running old man. My victoryat the competition made me a representative for Vietnam at SEA Games 31, whichis a great honour of mine,” Tuan said.

“My goal is not to come first or second, or beat anyone, butto run faster than myself yesterday,” said Tuan. He said that for marathon, youngage is not a decisive factor for good results, but endurance, resilience and asteady mind for nearly three hours.

The result of 2:27:41 at the competition for a berth at SEAGames 31 at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi was Tuan’s highest record.However, this did not satisfy him.

“I intended to finish the race within 2 hours and 25 or 26minutes. Despite the triumph, technically, I am not satisfied about thisresult,” Tuan said.

Tuan’s time was close to that made by the runner-up of men’smarathon event at SEA Games 2019. This is an encourage for Tuan to be one ofthe three medalists, and even the first gold medalist of Vietnamese marathon atSEA Games 31.

The SEA Games 31 will be the first and may be the only regional games that Tuan will participate in. He is a gold medal hopeful of Vietnamesemen’s marathon. In 2003, Vietnamese runner Nguyen Chi Dong bagged a silvermedal and made a national record, which has yet to be broken.

"As an athlete, everyone wants to try their best to getthe best results for the country. Me too. But marathon is developing veryquickly in Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore, so I think I have to practiceharder to prepare well for the tournament," Tuan said.

"I want to have the opportunity to stand on the highestpodium and see the national flag flying high. That is my dream. I hope theadvantage of home turf will help me realise it.”

Tuan is originally from Ninh Binh province but currentlylives in Dong Nai province.

Although he came to marathon running late and mainlytrains alone, in the past few years he has made remarkable progress. Afterbeing the runner-up in the Tien Phong Marathon 2020, he was called up to thenational team and trained in HCM City.

Track-and-field competitions at the SEA Games 31 will takeplace from May 14-19 at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi, comprising 47events. Marathon is scheduled for the last day (May 19). At the SEA Games 31,Vietnam will allow nearly 300 amateur runners to run alongside competitors forthe first time ever.

SEA Games 31 is being held in Hanoi and 11 neighbouringlocalities until 23, featuring 40 sports with 523 events. This is the secondedition of SEA Games hosted by Vietnam after the first one in 2003./.