The Hoiana Aquaman 2026 swim-run duathlon took place on 26/7, attracting 1,500 domestic and international athletes across various age groups. This marked the first time the event was held entirely within the closed complex of a luxury resort, which holds the "World's Leading Integrated Resort" title from the World Travel Awards.

Featuring 5 main distances and a mini-race for children aged 6-10, the event transformed Nam Hoi An beach into a colorful spectacle with bright swim caps and buoys.

Before the first Aquaman distance (2 km swim, 21 km run) started at 6h, security, rescue, and medical teams were on standby, surveying the water flow and rechecking all buoy lines to ensure a successful and safe race for the athletes. The sunrise over Nam Hoi An beach contributed to a picturesque scene with vibrant orange-red hues on the horizon.

As the start time approached, athletes gathered in large numbers at the starting line. Many took the opportunity to check their bibs, swimwear, accessories, and, most importantly, to perform thorough warm-ups.

The Aquaman distance, with its 2 km swim, was the longest and a significant challenge even for experienced athletes. The changing water currents, which became stronger after the tide receded, greatly impacted many participants' performance and stamina.

Next was the Half Aqua distance (1 km swim, 10 km run), which attracted the largest number of athletes. Pink and purple swim caps and buoys stood out on the white sand, contrasting with the clear blue waters of the 4 km long beach directly in front of Hoiana Resort & Golf.

Finally, it was the turn for the Sprint, Rush, and Flash Aqua distances to start. Enthusiast athletes, those new to aquathlon, and those testing their limits all focused on these shorter distances.

Many children over 10 years old, who did not meet the eligibility for Aqua Kid, also competed in the Sprint, Rush, and Flash Aqua distances. Parents stated that they had their children train in both swimming and running two to three weeks before the competition to ensure their technical proficiency. Additionally, nutrition and rest were equally important, as children's physiques differ significantly from adults' when undertaking high-intensity sports training.

After the swim segment, athletes left the beach and moved directly to the Helipad area, where organizers had arranged storage boxes according to bib number and distance. This was where they changed into running gear, replenished with gels, salts, and other necessary items for the run.

The Hoiana Aquaman 2026 running course was designed by the organizers to pass through internal routes with excellent asphalt quality, open spaces, and numerous green areas. As it was entirely within a closed complex, the low traffic density also facilitated road closures, ensuring safety for participants.

Many athletes reported significant performance improvements after completing the run, despite the hot weather, attributing it to not having to worry about traffic.

Beyond the internal complex, athletes ran on the main thoroughfare connecting Nam Hoi An with the ancient town area. Residential zones and green landscapes of vegetable fields and rice paddies lined both sides of the road.

Hoiana Aquaman marked the fourth season of the swim-run duathlon series in Vietnam. This year, the event, held in Duy Nghia commune, Da Nang, attracted 1,500 athletes along with thousands of family members and spectators over three days, from 24-26/7, transforming the Nam Hoi An coastline into a special summer sports venue.

Thy An

Photos: Aquaman Vietnam