On the morning of 26/7, Doctor Dinh Linh conquered Luong Son Pass again, running 30 km in 2 hours and 9 minutes at a 4:20 pace. This was his third time tackling Nha Trang's iconic route.

"Luong Son Pass is a gift for the Nha Trang running community," the 1982-born runner remarked. "It's perfect for building endurance and strength, with breathtaking scenery and minimal traffic."

Luong Son Pass from above. Photo: Vu Thinh

Located on Pham Van Dong Street in Bac Nha Trang ward, the 13 km Luong Son Pass is a popular training spot for local runners due to its proximity to the city center. During VnExpress Marathon events, this section stretches from km 21 to 34 of the full marathon. Runners face winding, hilly terrain, constant elevation changes, and steep inclines interspersed with hairpin turns.

According to Dinh Linh, the difficulty of the Luong Son Pass section in the VnExpress Marathon Libera Nha Trang 2025 stems from three main factors. First, runners reach this point around km 20, roughly the halfway mark. The initial excitement has faded, and fatigue sets in. "If runners don't pace themselves properly, they can easily run out of steam climbing the pass," he said.

Second, in the first 5 km of the pass, the elevation gradually increases from 10 m to about 70 m above sea level. This sustained climb, rare in flat races, forces runners to adjust their posture (leaning slightly forward, shortening their stride) and control their breathing.

Dinh Linh at VM Nha Trang 2022. Photo: VM

"I've run the New York City Marathon (one of the seven World Marathon Majors), famous for the steep Queensboro Bridge," he commented. "But its cumulative elevation gain is still less than VnExpress Marathon Nha Trang's."

Conversely, the downhill section from km 30 to 34 can strain unprepared muscles. Controlling speed on descents requires more work from the quads and knees. Unaccustomed runners risk knee pain, Achilles tendonitis, or losing form. "If possible, practice downhill running," he suggested. "Some gyms have treadmills that simulate declines."

Third, Luong Son Pass has fluctuating terrain. From km 26 to 30, the constant elevation changes and short uphills and downhills cause significant heart rate fluctuations. Runners can easily lose their breath if they don't conserve energy, requiring them to adjust their stride dynamically. "Runners should follow the tangent on curves to save energy, as the pass will be completely closed to vehicles on race day," he noted.

Doctor Dinh Linh participating in VnExpress Marathon Hue in April. Photo: VM

To acclimate to Luong Son Pass, Doctor Linh recommends trial runs before race day. In 2022, he practiced on the pass two weeks before the VnExpress Marathon Nha Trang, which helped him finish in the top 8.

Dinh Linh believes hill training benefits both elite and recreational runners, improving endurance, muscle strength, pace control, and mental fortitude.

"I vividly remember my first run on Luong Son Pass in 2022," he shared. "The scenery was stunning. I watched the sky transform from pitch black to deep blue, then blaze into a vibrant red. It's nature's reward for runners."

Lan Anh

Dinh Huynh Linh is a doctor at the Vietnam National Heart Institute, founder of the Chay 365 running community, and a recreational runner with about 10 years of marathon experience. His personal best is 2 hours, 41 minutes, and 25 seconds, set at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.

The VnExpress Marathon Libera Nha Trang 2025, expected to attract 13,000 runners, will take place on 24/8. Late registration is currently open. Interested readers can find more information here.