In marathon races, athletes' goals vary. Some aim for rankings, others target specific achievements, or simply seek new experiences. Elite amateur athletes are those who have reached a certain performance threshold. When participating in a race, they typically set goals to compete for rankings and prizes.

However, unlike other events in the VnExpress Marathon series, All-Star does not feature age group awards. Organizers only present prizes to the top 5 finishers in both the 21km and 42km distances. This reduces the chances for amateur runners to win awards, especially when professional or African athletes participate. Nevertheless, many elite amateur runners such as Doan Oanh, Dan Quyet, Huynh Anh Khoi, and My Duyen will still participate due to the race's unique nature.

Doan Oanh recently placed 3rd at VM Hai Phong with a result of 2 hours 47 minutes 57 seconds. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

"I am participating in VM All-Star not to win prizes. This race gathers many top-class athletes. Running alongside them, I learn a great deal, from their competitive spirit to how they control the race and choose moments to break away," Doan Oanh shared. Oanh is currently Vietnam's top female amateur runner with a personal best of 2 hours 47 minutes 51 seconds.

Doan Oanh shared that in 2026, she plans to run more full marathons. Previously, the physical education teacher from Vinh Phuc often ran 21km. Each year, she only ran 42km a few times if the course conditions were ideal. After a positive experience participating in last season's All-Star in the 21km distance, the female runner continues to choose this race to run a full marathon one last time before Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year).

Pham Thi My Duyen, a regular podium finisher in her age group at VnExpress Marathon events, believes All-Star is unique due to several factors. "Every year in Vietnam, there are dozens of marathons, big and small. Opportunities to run for prizes are not lacking. But a well-organized race where you can run with a field of top-class athletes is quite rare," she said.

According to Duyen, when running to compete for rankings, she often adjusts her strategy based on her opponents. Over time, however, this can hinder personal progress. In contrast, running for a specific milestone, such as sub3 or sub2:30, demands absolute precision in speed, pacing ability, and physical condition. In such cases, every small error can cause the time goal to collapse.

"Even though I know there will likely be no big prize, I am going 'all in' for VM All-Star, with the goal of achieving sub3 in this race," Duyen said.

Khoi Huynh hopes to learn from the competitive style of top athletes at VM All-Star. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

Huynh Anh Khoi, Vietnam's top male amateur runner with a time of 2 hours 23 minutes 32 seconds, does not aim for prizes, despite being considered capable of a podium finish at All-Star.

"I always enter a race with a comfortable mindset, running to my own ability because I don't know how strong the opponents are," Khoi shared. Last year, All-Star attracted many African athletes with very high achievements. For Khoi, it was an opportunity to observe and learn how they compete and control the race.

"I want to improve further. Running with strong people and learning from them is one way to elevate my level," he shared. Additionally, the male runner, born in 2003, also comes to the race with the goal of enjoying the atmosphere of Northern Vietnam in the days leading up to Tet.

Dan Quyet wants to experience the race course in Hoa Lac. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

Dan Quyet stated that his first participation in VM All-Star is primarily to experience the competitive environment. Quyet has competed in international races, including the Chicago Marathon, one of the seven major marathons. In such races, the chance of winning prizes is almost non-existent, yet the male runner still participates for the experience and to challenge himself.

When a similarly formatted race appears in Vietnam, combining many favorable competitive factors and organized meticulously, Dan Quyet acknowledges it is an unmissable opportunity for him.

VM All-Star offers many rare conditions for runners to pursue personal bests. The race takes place in early February, the coldest and driest period in Northern Vietnam, with temperatures ranging from 12-20 degrees Celsius, ideal for a marathon. The Hoa Lac course is almost entirely flat, has a good asphalt surface, features few sharp turns, and is 100% closed to traffic. Athletes start in waves, with pacers, water stations, gel, and electrolytes strategically placed, and clear time markers. The entry standards and high competitive environment make All-Star an ideal destination for hunting personal records.

Lan Anh

VnExpress Marathon All-Star 2026 will take place on 8/2. To secure a ticket for the race, male athletes need to complete 42km in under 4 hours or 21km in under 2 hours; female athletes need to finish 42km in under 5 hours or 21km in under 2 hours 30 minutes. Registration is open until 23/1. Interested athletes can verify their achievements here.