Le Tien Quang, a runner from Nha Trang, often surprises his competitors with his youthful appearance, leading some to suspect he might be competing in a younger age group. Every day, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., he works diligently at his watch repair shop on Thong Nhat Street, Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa). His dedication to his craft mirrors his commitment to his tempo runs along the coastal roads.

Le Tien Quang finishes the VnExpress Marathon Hue 2025 in April. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

"Sports make people healthy, just like a well-maintained watch," Quang says. "The most important thing when participating in any race is to be healthy and optimistic, not necessarily to win any prizes."

Quang's first race was the 2022 VnExpress Marathon in Nha Trang. Nearing 50, his health was declining, and he had tried unsuccessfully to quit smoking multiple times. Running became the key to finally breaking the habit. Inspired by his transformation, his wife and daughter also started running with him. "Now, I can rest assured about my cardiovascular health," he says.

Quang at his watch repair shop on Thong Nhat Street, Nha Trang. Photo: Provided by the subject

Quang believes the meticulousness and patience required for watch repair have influenced his running style and strategy. "Once, at a race in TP HCM, I chose to follow a competitor closely. Despite trailing for most of the race, I persistently kept pace. In the end, my opponent ran out of steam and I won in the final sprint," he recalls.

This approach has seemingly fueled Quang's rapid progress. In just two years, he improved his half marathon time to 1 hour, 24 minutes, and 34 seconds at the Tien Phong Marathon in March, averaging a 4-minute kilometer pace. According to the World Masters Athletics Age Grading tables, this achievement puts him at a national competitive level for the 50–59 age group. His best full marathon time is currently 3 hours and 47 minutes.

With these results, Quang has reached the podium nearly 30 times across various distances, including over 20 times in the half marathon, his specialty.

Le Tien Quang running with his daughter. Photo: Provided by the subject

The 52-year-old runner says he always had a natural talent for running, having won the 100-meter dash in high school with a time of 11.8 seconds. After graduating, he won several amateur cross-country races at 1,200–1,500 meters, before having to stop due to a lung condition. Almost 30 years later, those memories motivated him to return to running, this time focusing on longer distances.

Currently, Quang maintains a regular training schedule: tempo runs on Thursdays, long runs on Sundays, and easy runs on other days for recovery. He says that at his age, he's not overly concerned with setting personal records, but rather with maintaining consistent performance and enjoying running for the long term.

He will participate in the half marathon at the VnExpress Marathon Libera Nha Trang 2025. "This year, the 21km route no longer includes the Luong Son Pass, which will be advantageous for all runners. I understand the capabilities of my competitors in the 50–59 age group and will prepare thoroughly to achieve the best possible result," he says.

Lan Anh