According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, daytime temperatures in Hai Phong on 19/12 and 20/12 will be around 24 degrees C, dropping to 16-18 degrees C at night. The weather will be cloudy with no rain and light winds, creating favorable conditions for race-kit collection, side activities, and light training to familiarize with the course.

On the official race day, 21/12, temperatures will range from 17-25 degrees C. When athletes start the marathon distance at 2h30, the temperature will be approximately 17 degrees C, with 77% humidity, an easterly wind of 9 km/h, and gusts potentially reaching 24 km/h. The weather will be dry.

While not as cold as the previous two seasons, the race conditions are considered ideal for a marathon, especially when combined with a flat course featuring few turns. However, strong winds may affect running pace on open roads, coastal areas, and the descent into Do Son. Organizers advise athletes to prepare jackets for wearing while waiting for the start, warm up thoroughly to prevent muscle stiffness, and run in groups to reduce wind resistance.

Athletes at VM Hai Phong in 2023 conquer the Do Son course. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

The VnExpress Marathon Hai Phong 2025, taking place on 21/12, will gather over 14,000 athletes competing in four distances, with approximately 5,000 participants in the 42km race. With a significant increase in scale, organizers have coordinated with local authorities to develop traffic diversion plans to ensure athlete safety and minimize disruption to daily life for residents.

According to the plan, the city center will implement the highest level of traffic restrictions. On Tran Hung Dao street, sections from the Tran Binh Trong - Minh Khai intersection and Tran Quang Khai - Hoang Van Thu intersection will be fully utilized as the start and finish areas for all distances. Other sections along this route will serve as finish points for the 21km, 10km, and 5km distances, with restrictions from 2h to 8h.

Quang Trung, Ky Con, Tam Bac, Tran Phu, Minh Khai, Tran Quang Khai streets, and the Tam Bac bridge area will have 100% traffic diversion or partial road usage, depending on the section. Specifically, Tam Bac bridge and Lac Long bridge will only use one-half of the road surface in the direction of the athletes' run to maintain the remaining traffic flow.

In the Hong Bang and Le Chan wards, the streets Chuong Duong, The Lu, Bach Dang, Lac Long bridge, Dien Bien Phu, and Nguyen Duc Canh will have restrictions from 3h to 8h.

In Gia Vien and Ngo Quyen wards, the Dien Bien Phu, Da Nang, Le Hong Phong, and Bui Vien road axes will have traffic restrictions from approximately 2h15 to 6h30. Here, athletes will run in dedicated lanes, while vehicles will be guided to use the remaining sections according to instructions from functional forces.

Athletes at VM Hai Phong last year run on Vo Nguyen Giap bridge. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

From Cau Rao one to Pham Van Dong, organizers will use a portion or one lane of the road in the running direction from 2h30 to 7h. Specifically, at the Vo Nguyen Giap roundabout, the road surface will be narrowed with rigid barriers and traffic cones, and vehicles will proceed as directed.

The coastal road section from Pham Van Dong, Nguyen Huu Cau, Ly Thanh Tong, and 15/5 Square (Do Son), which serves as the finish line for the 42km distance, will have a dedicated lane for athletes, with restrictions from 3h to 8h30. Some sections will utilize the entire road surface in the running direction to ensure absolute safety.

Organizers advise residents to observe road signs, follow instructions from functional forces, and proactively choose alternative routes during the traffic diversion hours. Athletes should arrive early at the starting area to avoid delays caused by traffic restrictions.

Lan Anh