Kun Marathon Nha Trang commenced at 7 am in the area of Tram Huong Tower and 2/4 Square. Most parents brought their children about one hour beforehand to check bibs, shoes, and offer last-minute advice.

{"caption_all":"Beyond phones used to capture images, many brought pre-prepared cheer signs. Some were handwritten with a group of children's names, while others were printed with photos, bib numbers, and nicknames for each child.","caption_items":"["","",""]"}

Parents dedicated time to design unique cheer signs for each child. Images, colors, and familiar pet names helped the children easily spot their loved ones in the crowd.

At exactly 7 am, the youngest age group began their race, followed by older age groups. As the signal sounded, parents simultaneously raised their signs, called out their children's names, and pointed their phones towards the race track. Some moved along the fence to keep pace with the children in visible sections.

A group of parents whose children live in the same neighborhood prepared a communal sign, listing each child's nickname to cheer them on.

As the children passed, parents collectively called out names, waved, and shouted "go for it" from beyond the fence. Many parents followed every step, providing additional motivation for the Kun Runners to complete the race.

The race course was enclosed around the 2/4 Square area and Tran Phu street, with fences separating it from spectators. In addition to straight running sections, organizers arranged soft obstacles. Children had to perform various actions like climbing, crawling, balancing, and overcoming floats.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Tuyen brought her son, Bui Duy Khiem, a student preparing for grade 4, to participate in the Kun Marathon for the second time. According to Tuyen, the obstacle system helps children experience various movements instead of just running in a straight line.

"I hope the race helps my son start the new school year well, gain more experience, and bravely step out of his comfort zone," Tuyen said.

KOL Sammy Dao interacted and ran alongside the children on the course. She is a familiar face to young audiences due to her friendly demeanor and engaging social media content.

A young child lost a shoe mid-race but continued the competition, maintaining their pace and completing the challenge amidst cheers from both sides.

Three young children held hands on the race track, maintaining their pace and supporting each other over obstacles before reaching the finish line.

After the race, the children gathered at the main stage to interact with artist Truong Giang and other KOLs.

Kun Marathon is part of the broader Kunlympic "Move with Kun every day" campaign. In Kunlympic, children engage in fun and creative physical activities across various sports, including: marathon, football, basketball, pickleball, badminton, and jump rope. Kunlympic aims to encourage children to actively participate in sports, enhance their physical fitness, and connect with others through shared joy.

Hoang Dan

Photo: VnExpress Marathon