Luon Son pass remains a symbol of the VnExpress Marathon Nha Trang 2026 course, and also the biggest challenge for runners in the two long distances due to its steepness and its placement mid-race. Last year, this pass was not included in the 21 km course as organizers aimed to enhance the urban experience for runners.
This year, the course is designed similarly to the 2024 season, with minor adjustments to optimize the athlete experience. All athletes will start and finish at April 2 Square, along the coastal road Tran Phu. This main thoroughfare accounts for most of the distance across all four categories.
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The 5 km course for VM Nha Trang 2026.
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The 10 km course runs along Tran Phu road.
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The 21 km distance turns left onto Luon Son pass at kilometer 9,5.
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The 42 km distance includes about 9 km run on Luon Son pass.
The 5 km distance starts at 6:30 AM, 15 minutes later than the 2025 season. The course runs along Tran Phu, with the turnaround point located opposite the Naval Academy instead of near the Tran Hung Dao intersection as last year. The completion cut-off time for this distance is 7:45 AM.
The 10 km distance starts at 4:15 AM, 15 minutes later than 2025. The route maintains the coastal axis, turning around near Vinpearl. This distance has a single cut-off time (COT) at kilometer 6 at 5:30 AM, with the road closing at 6:15 AM.
The 21 km distance retains its 4:00 AM start time and a completion limit of 7:30 AM. The primary change lies in the route. After running north along Pham Van Dong Boulevard, runners will turn onto Luon Son pass at approximately kilometer 9,5, instead of entering the Libera urban area as in the 2025 season. The climb up the pass extends for about 1,5 km. Following this, athletes will turn around, descend the pass, and return to the coastal road.
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A female runner competes in the 21 km distance at VM Nha Trang 2024. Photo: VnExpress Marathon
The Luon Son pass section, appearing midway through the 21 km journey, will be crucial for athlete performance. This is when runners have passed the initial excitement phase and must maintain their pace to conserve energy for the latter half of the race. The 21 km distance will feature two cut-off times at kilometer 8 at 5:20 AM and kilometer 18 at 7:00 AM.
The 42 km distance has shifted its start time from 2:30 AM (2025) to 3:00 AM, but the road closure time remains 9:30 AM. The course passes through Le Thanh Ton, Nguyen Trai, Cao Ba Quat, To Huu, along the Quan Truong River, Nui Church, Po Nagar Cham Towers, and Tran Phu Bridge before ascending Luon Son pass at kilometer 24,5. Compared to 2025, the inner-city section no longer goes through the Libera area, instead utilizing routes along the Quan Truong River and Nui Church.
The number of cut-off times for the 42 km distance has been reduced from 5 (in 2025) to 3, set at kilometer 10 at 4:30 AM, kilometer 22,5 at 6:25 AM, and kilometer 39 at 9:00 AM.
The VM Nha Trang 2026 course has received certification from World Athletics and AIMS, meaning that official results are recognized and can be used as qualification criteria for marathons worldwide that have entry standards.
Along the entire route, organizers have strategically placed 23 water stations and 18 medical stations, particularly in sections with high athlete density or challenging terrain. These support points will remain fixed throughout the competition, helping athletes maintain their stamina and ensuring their safety.
Minh Khang
