The seventh season of VnExpress Marathon Quy Nhon saw a change in its schedule, moving from June to September for the first time. Unlike the scorching heat of June, race day conditions were cool with light winds. The temperature for the 21km athletes at both start and finish was approximately 24 degrees Celsius, according to AccuWeather data. This ideal weather allowed 8,000 runners to perform at their best, conquering Quy Nhon’s impressive coastal route.

Quy Nhon continues to be a fortunate ground for Le Dinh Tuong, a runner born in 2005, as he claimed his third consecutive 21km championship. Tuong’s journey was challenging, with two rivals, Le Hoang Tan (from the Gia Lai team) and Y Glap Nie (Dak Lak), closely pursuing him. Chiptime data showed the gap between the three athletes was almost negligible at the 2,2km, 7,7km, 10,6km, and 16km markers.

Dinh Tuong admitted to starting with significant psychological pressure, having been the champion for the previous two seasons and currently training for the National Sports Festival. Consequently, he felt quite flustered during the first 10km as his competitors stayed close. It was only after the 15km mark, realizing he still had ample energy, that Tuong began to accelerate.

Le Dinh Tuong wins the 21km. Photo: Duc Dong

Upon recognizing Tuong's intention, Hoang Tan and Y Glap also pushed themselves but could not keep up. Tuong finished first in one hour 13 minutes 13 seconds, 24 seconds ahead of second-place Hoang Tan. "I am happy because this is my third consecutive win in Quy Nhon. Nothing feels better than winning on home turf", the 21-year-old runner said after crossing the finish line.

In the women’s category, Doan Thu Hang dominated, as strong contenders like Hong Le and Doan Oanh did not participate. Hang finished first in one hour 25 minutes 10 seconds, more than two minutes ahead of second-place Le Thi Phuong. Nguyen Thi Duyen secured third place. Hang showed no signs of fatigue after the race, smiling and chatting with friends, and celebrating with many runners past the finish line.

Doan Thu Hang celebrates her championship. Photo: Duc Dong

Thu Hang’s most recent appearance at VM Quy Nhon was in 2023, where she finished second behind her friend Hong Le. Her championship win on the morning of 13/9 is considered a significant milestone by the runner born in 2001, boosting her confidence for future development. The champion also praised Quy Nhon as a premier running destination, highlighting its beautiful course and excellent support services.

"Hang is very excited to have had the opportunity to compete and win on a beautiful course like Quy Nhon", the female runner stated.

The 10km category featured a close contest between two young runners, Nguyen Thanh Dat and Ha Quang Thang. Both crossed the 2,2km mark at 7 minutes 6 seconds. By the 7,3km mark, Ha Quang Thang was in the lead by a 6-second margin. However, from this point, Dat accelerated, surpassing his friend. He successfully reversed the situation, finishing first in 34 minutes one second, 9 seconds ahead of Quang Thang.

Pham Huynh Yen Thu, a young female runner with excellent personal records in the 42km and 21km distances, surprisingly chose to compete in the 10km and gave no chance to any competitor. The runner from Dak Lak finished in 39 minutes, more than 3 minutes ahead of second-place Hong Tham. Yen Thu mentioned she is preparing for the National Sports Festival, choosing the 10km distance to maintain her form and physical condition.

Finally, the 5km distance saw Le Van Thao (16 minutes 40 seconds) and Nguyen Thi Kim Luyen (19 minutes 11 seconds) crowned as champions.

Athletes run on Nguyen Tat Thanh street. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

An athlete runs in a vest during the competition. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

The joy of athletes on the running track. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

Beyond the athletic achievements, VnExpress Marathon Quy Nhon 2026 left many positive impressions. Changing the event to September allowed athletes to compete in cooler conditions. 8,000 runners across all distances had the opportunity to enjoy the scenic route and witness the sunrise over the ocean.

The sight of runners in vibrant attire, filling central streets like Xuan Dieu and Nguyen Tat Thanh, created a festive atmosphere.

After seven seasons, the race continues to prove its appeal as a leading sports tourism event in the Central region. Runners from across the country flocked to the coastal city for the three-day weekend, experiencing local tourism, cuisine, and visiting famous destinations.

An athlete crosses the finish line. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

An athlete celebrates after the finish line. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

Joy upon finishing. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

An athlete carries the national flag. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

The joy of a runner couple. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

Gia Lai province views the VnExpress Marathon as a key event, contributing to promoting the province's image to both domestic and international communities. The race also contributes revenue to Gia Lai's VND 35 trillion tourism plan for the year the province hosts the National Tourism Year.

Hoai Phuong