In Herbalife's first collaboration with VnExpress to organize a race in Vung Tau, over 2,000 independent members of the global nutrition brand registered for all three distances: 21 km, 10 km, and 5 km. Speaking at the opening event, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dat, Senior Communications Director of Herbalife Vietnam, expressed the company's pride in the number of members participating. He noted that these individuals serve as ambassadors, spreading an active and healthy lifestyle.

The group of 5 km runners engaged in light exercise before the start time.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dat himself participated in the 5 km distance, running alongside two Herbalife mascots. The presence of this special running group helped encourage Herbalife members and the broader running community along the race routes.

Herbalife independent members rarely arrive alone, typically attending races in groups. Some groups are small, like Mr. Nguyen Van Nhan's group of five, who traveled by motorbike from An Giang. Others are much larger, such as Mr. Nguyen Thien Tin's group from Ho Chi Minh City, which consisted of hundreds of runners divided into smaller teams.

Mr. Thien Tin led a unique running group that included two disabled athletes, one older woman, and a woman with a herniated disc. Ms. Nguyen Thanh Hoa, one of the disabled athletes, normally tires after just 50 meters and uses a wheelchair for mobility. To motivate members with health challenges to overcome their limits, the six healthy members of the group did not pressure anyone to run fast or achieve specific times. After 3 hours, the entire group completed 5 km, covering 100 times the distance Ms. Hoa typically walks daily.

Ms. Phan Thi Thu Man and her husband, along with a running group of eight people, traveled from Tra Vinh. Having been involved with Herbalife for nearly 10 years, Ms. Man shared that her health has significantly improved. Although she is relatively new to VnExpress Marathon races, she and her husband confidently registered for the 21 km distance, having trained daily and followed a balanced nutrition plan.

Ms. Man prioritizes endurance over speed, viewing the race as an opportunity to test her stamina and promote a healthy lifestyle within the community. At 50 years old, she completed the 21 km course in 2 hours, 53 minutes, and 46 seconds. This year, Ms. Man plans to conquer routes at VnExpress Marathon events in Nghe An and Hai Phong.

To maintain the stamina required for racing, many runners shared their secrets: consistent exercise and a suitable nutrition plan. The race started at dawn; before the race, runners prepared healthy meals to fuel up. During the race, they replenished energy with electrolyte products. After the race, runners used protein products to build muscle.

Upon completing the 10 km distance, the Herbalife athlete group continued to perform "circus-like" movements, demonstrating their flexibility and strength.

Sharing his thoughts at the finish line, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dat noted that Herbalife's first collaboration with VnExpress to organize a race in Vung Tau received an enthusiastic response from runners. Despite moments of challenging weather, including strong winds reaching level 6, everyone remained excited and had a wonderful experience. Mr. Dat stated, "The race aligns with Herbalife's goal of contributing to a healthier community through balanced nutrition combined with an active and healthy lifestyle."

Hoang Anh

Photos: VM, HBL