Early morning runs in Hanoi are buzzing as members of Thong Nhat Park Running Club (TPR) prepare for the VnExpress Marathon Hai Phong. The club maintains a training schedule, organizes running groups based on performance goals, and plans travel and accommodation to ensure members can compete with peace of mind.

According to Bui Van Huy, TPR administrator, about 60 members are expected to participate in the race. Although registered individually, runners will gather as a club-organized delegation. Preparations began when the organizing committee opened bib sales, including forming private discussion groups, finding hotels, arranging transportation, and planning meals and travel.

Members of Thong Nhat Park Running Club during an early morning run, before sunrise. Photo: TPR

Established in 9/2018 in Hanoi, TPR currently has over 200 official members and a Facebook community of over 3,000 people. The club maintains a running schedule on Thursday mornings at Thong Nhat Park and Saturdays around Hoan Kiem Lake, alongside individual speed and long-distance training sessions.

TPR does not create individual training plans but encourages each person to set goals appropriate to their ability. Runners with shared performance goals, such as completing a marathon in under 4 hours, 3 hours 45 minutes, or 3 hours 30 minutes, are divided into groups, thereby supporting each other in expertise and morale.

Club members gather to socialize and eat after a training session. Photo: TPR

Before the race season, the club organizes long-distance runs, with distances gradually increasing from 21 km to 25 km or 33 km for those preparing for the marathon distance, depending on their training plan.

Sessions conclude before 6:30 AM on weekdays and 7 AM on weekends, helping members balance running with work and life.

According to Huy, the members' goals at VnExpress Marathon Hai Phong are to improve personal performance and to summarize their year-long training process. The club also recognizes runners who achieve milestones, such as completing a half marathon in under 2 hours or a marathon in under 4 hours, or faster, after each race.

Each TPR session features a station providing water, electrolytes, watermelon, and bananas. Photo: TPR

Hai Phong is a familiar choice for performance-oriented running groups. The race is at the end of the year's competition calendar, making it a destination for long-term training plans, on a course with many straight sections and almost no hills.

After the race on 27/12, TPR will continue its regular training schedule. According to Huy, participating in races motivates training, while the club's main goal remains to help members improve their health and maintain an active lifestyle.

Thai Anh

About VnExpress Marathon Hai Phong