Over the past six months, dozens of runners in orange shirts have become a familiar sight along the Hau River on weekend mornings. They are members of Can Tho Runners, a club established in April to share the Mekong Delta's spirit through running.

Can Tho Runners members in their club's traditional colors. Photo: Can Tho Runners

Can Tho Runners members in their club's traditional colors. Photo: Can Tho Runners

According to Nguyen Minh Hai, the club's president, Can Tho has a long-standing sports tradition. The city was previously known for Hop Luc, a swim-bike-run club that existed for almost 10 years.

"However, when participating in races in other provinces, it was hard for others to identify runners from Can Tho. We wanted a club to represent the city, like Hue Runners or Quy Nhon Runners," Hai said.

After a failed attempt to rename the old club, core members decided to establish Can Tho Runners. Currently based in Ninh Kieu ward, the club regularly meets at Luu Huu Phuoc Park and plans to apply for official recognition as a city-level running club in the next one to two years.

Despite being newly formed, the club boasts experienced runners who have participated in numerous races in Can Tho and elsewhere, maintaining excellent fitness. Weekly training sessions are tailored to registered race distances. Discipline and camaraderie are hallmarks of the club.

Can Tho Runners has over 200 regular members, with around 100 actively participating in weekend runs. Their social media group attracts over 2,200 followers. During major holidays and events, this number multiplies, demonstrating the growing popularity of running in the city.

Can Tho Runners' colors at the VnExpress Marathon Da Nang in July. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

Can Tho Runners' colors at the VnExpress Marathon Da Nang in July. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

News of VnExpress Marathon's debut in Can Tho was met with enthusiasm. Members see it as an opportunity for the city to solidify its place on the national marathon map. Hai believes that compared to previous races in Can Tho, the local running community anticipates the professionalism of VnExpress Marathon.

"We hope this is not just a race, but a milestone event, elevating the local running movement—something past races haven't achieved," he said. VnExpress Marathon has contributed to the growth of strong running communities in host cities like Quy Nhon, Nha Trang, and Hue.

To welcome runners from across the country to the Mekong Delta, Can Tho Runners plans warm-up runs and tours of iconic city landmarks: Ben Ninh Kieu, the pedestrian bridge, and the ancient market. If possible, they'll also take runners to Con Son, a popular community tourism village, to showcase the region's waterways.

Can Tho Runners has entered the taper phase (reducing training intensity) and is preparing plans for cheering and supporting each other on race day. The VnExpress Marathon Can Tho takes place on 14/9, bringing together 9,000 domestic and international runners.

Lan Anh