2/4 Square bustling before Kun Marathon Nha Trang race day

From 6h on 7/8, item distribution and gift exchange counters continuously welcomed families picking up their bibs, race kits, and getting familiar with the Kun Marathon Nha Trang competition area.

On the morning of 7/8, hundreds of parents and their children gathered at Tram Huong Tower, 2/4 Square, before item distribution. Long lines at the check-in counters created a lively atmosphere.

This year, the event expanded beyond the race course. Five activity zones, including basketball, pickleball, football, Kun Farm, and multi-sport activities, were set up for children to enjoy, offering more than just the race itself.

Beyond the bib collection area, gift exchange and check-in counters also drew young children. Some tried on their shirts immediately, while others took photos with parents or connected with friends for the next morning's race.

Mai and Thuan's family has participated in Kun Marathon for three seasons. This year, their son, Tran Kien Van, born in 2019, is again running with a classmate. Mai explained that to encourage physical activity, she often takes him for walks or light runs in the evenings. She prioritizes his enjoyment and social interaction over race results.

Families converged on 2/4 Square, eager for the upcoming Kun Marathon Nha Trang. Kieu Diem, a freelance businesswoman from Nha Trang, brought her two children, 9-year-old Trinh Bao Ngoc and 8-year-old Nguyen Chau Quynh Anh, to collect their bibs. In previous years, the family had hoped to participate but missed registration due to high demand and quick closures. This year, Diem proactively tracked the registration opening to secure spots for her children. She stated that her children are naturally active, making Kun Marathon an ideal event for them to play and socialize.

Whether traveling from various provinces or returning as seasoned classmates, each family prepared uniquely. Their shared perspective: running offers children a chance to exercise, socialize, and foster initiative towards an age-appropriate goal.

For Quynh Trang, a tourism professional in Nha Trang, Kun Marathon is a familiar family event. This year, she collected bibs for five young relatives. While some children reside in Nha Trang, others traveled from Gia Lai, and one from Ha Noi was expected to arrive by flight that evening to join. Trang and her husband frequently participate in VnExpress Marathon series races, which introduced their children to running early. She noted that the children eagerly anticipate the event and train at home. "They get very excited whenever they hear about a race," she shared. "Before the competition, they even practice running in preparation."

Parents helped young athletes check in at the race backdrop, featuring their names.

The race is scheduled for the morning of 8/8 at Tram Huong Tower on Tran Phu Street. Runners aged 6 to 10 will gather, warm up, and proceed to the track in age-specific groups. Truong Giang, Ali Thuc Phuong, Hoang Hon, Sammy Dao, and Bao Long will also attend to interact, perform, and encourage the young participants.

Hong Thanh, a lecturer from North Nha Trang, has consistently registered her children for Kun Marathon over the years. Her eldest daughter, Le Nguyen An Nhien, now in grade 5, has participated for 5 consecutive seasons, while her younger child is in grade 2. Each year, Thanh meticulously tracks the registration opening, describing securing a spot as "a big journey for parents" due to the high demand. The evening before bib collection, her children reminded her to go early, eager to avoid the afternoon rush.

This year, Nguyen Thi Loan again brought her children from Quy Nhon to Nha Trang for Kun Marathon. The trip held special significance, marking their final season within the eligible age group. Aware of the limited opportunity, the children proactively tracked registration dates, frequently reminding and pleading with their mother to secure their spots. Loan considered the trip a pre-school year gift, offering her children an outdoor play space, a chance to socialize, and a memorable experience to conclude their multi-year journey with Kun Marathon.