For high-performance marathoners, one to two seconds can make a significant difference. Pham Thi My Duyen's story at VnExpress Marathon Hai Phong on 21/12/2025 exemplifies this. Finishing in 3 hours 00 minutes 01 second, the runner from Ha Nam broke her personal record by nearly 5 minutes. However, she was two seconds shy of reaching the sub3 milestone, a significant achievement that only a few female amateur runners in Vietnam have conquered to date.

"I want to cry, everyone," My Duyen wrote on social media after the race, sharing her performance statistics. While this achievement secured her first place in the 30-39 age group, the joy did not fully overcome her regret of narrowly missing the sub3 target.

The moment My Duyen (in a red shirt) missed sub3 at VM Hai Phong. *Video: VNRun*

According to My Duyen, her result in Hai Phong accurately reflected her physical condition and pre-race training volume. Her greatest regret was not her stamina or the race conditions, but her approach to the final kilometers.

"I often focus on my position on the course rather than looking at my watch," the runner shared. "Knowing I was still among the top group, I ran quite comfortably and did not anticipate a time error." By the time she realized the remaining time might not be enough to hit the sub3 mark, Duyen accelerated but could not compensate for the earlier delay.

From this experience, My Duyen believes the distinction between running for rank and running for a specific time is a tactical challenge many amateur runners might face. While focusing on competing with rivals can be motivating, it also carries risks if it causes a runner to neglect controlling their pace and target time.

This lesson prompted My Duyen to register for VM All-Star, scheduled for 8/2. Initially, she planned to compete in the half marathon to set a personal record. However, the result in Hai Phong led her to switch to the full marathon distance, determined to achieve sub3 before Lunar New Year.

"All-Star is a different kind of race," she said. "It's difficult for amateur runners like us to compete for rank with professional athletes. However, this event has high professional standards. Being on the same starting line as strong runners and competing in optimal conditions can help me further improve my performance."

My Duyen expresses regret upon realizing she missed sub3. *Photo: VnExpress Marathon*

My Duyen believes VM All-Star offers many favorable factors for runners pursuing performance goals. These include its timing in February, bringing dry and cold weather, and a straight course with few turns. "After running in Hai Phong, I believe a straight and long course provides a clear advantage for runners to improve their performance," she said.

Currently, the female runner maintains a training volume of approximately 120-130 km each week, combining long runs with speed workouts. Her goal is to enter race day in peak physical condition. She stated she would change her approach to the race compared to before.

"Before, I usually conserved some energy and opted for a safe running strategy," My Duyen said. "After missing sub3 in Hai Phong, I understand I need to be more aggressive. At All-Star, I will be more proactive from the start and focus entirely on my goal."

Lan Anh

VnExpress Marathon All-Star 2026, launched in 4/2025, is Vietnam's first and only qualifying marathon event. The race targets serious and disciplined runners. To qualify, male athletes must complete 42 km in under 4 hours or 21 km in under 2 hours; female athletes must finish the full marathon in under 5 hours or the half marathon in under 2 hours 30 minutes.