Every day at 5h30, Nguyen Minh Nhat, a resident of Thu Duc Ward, can be found at a nearby park. He runs a gentle 4-5 km before starting his workday, a habit he has maintained for nearly four years. Recently, however, he has felt an increased sense of excitement as his son registered their three-generation family to participate in the Galaxy Run.

Nhat shared that this will be the first time his entire family runs together. With his two grandchildren on summer break, the event, jointly organized by Samsung and VnExpress Marathon, offers a unique opportunity for family bonding. He believes the race distance is moderate, providing enough challenge for the family to share enjoyable moments.

Due to his busy business schedule, Nhat runs early in the morning, while his children and grandchildren typically choose late afternoons. "Even with our different schedules, we are trying to arrange our time to run together. This activity is practical and appealing for the whole family," Nhat stated.

Elderly people running in TP HCM. *Photo: Quynh Tran*.

Beyond being a family activity, running has also become a community bridge for many middle-aged individuals.

After retiring three years ago, Tran Minh Duc, 60, of An Khanh Ward, experienced difficulty adapting to a new pace of life. Despite having more free time, his social connections gradually narrowed. A friend eventually invited him to join a local running club.

Initially, he only walked a few laps around the park each morning, gradually increasing his distance. Now, he can run over 10 km.

"I believe I started running for my health, but what keeps me committed is the feeling of having companions. Every morning, someone is waiting to train with me, and we motivate each other," Duc explained. Upon learning that VnExpress Marathon and Samsung were organizing the Galaxy Run, he and several friends registered. The race's location in the Thu Thiem area, near his home, makes it convenient for travel.

He believes that races with moderate distances of 5-10 km are more accessible for middle-aged participants. "Not everyone at 60 wants to conquer a marathon. For me, completing 5 km or 10 km is already motivation to maintain a positive lifestyle," he shared.

A runner monitors metrics while training with a Galaxy Watch 8 series. *Photo: Samsung*.

In recent years, the increasing number of running events has significantly expanded Vietnam's runner community. This growth is not limited to young people; middle-aged and older groups are also joining the community in greater numbers.

According to team representatives, the motivation for these groups often differs from that of younger runners. While younger participants frequently aim to achieve personal records (PRs) and improve physical fitness, middle-aged and older individuals join to enhance health, maintain mental clarity, and foster community connections.

Runners from the Galaxy Running Club community train in TP HCM. *Photo: Samsung*.

Events like the Galaxy Run create opportunities for intergenerational activity and connection. The race, scheduled for 21/6 in the Thu Thiem urban area, expects to attract 5,000 athletes, including hundreds of middle-aged runners. Its course runs along the Saigon River and connects to the Sala urban area, a familiar spot for the southern running community.

The Galaxy Run embodies the spirit of "Taking every step forward," encouraging individuals to begin their health journey with small changes tailored to their physical condition and personal lifestyle. Beyond the race itself, the event features programs on sleep, physical recovery, and technology experiences for sports enthusiasts.

Hoai Phuong

As part of the event, Samsung offers special benefits for Galaxy runners from 17/6 to 26/6, including discounts of up to 50% on various products. These offers, available through Shopee Mall, include the Galaxy Watch8 (6,79 million VND), Galaxy Buds Core (790,000 VND), and Galaxy Fit3 (690,000 VND).