Launched in 2024, the Standard Chartered Hanoi Heritage Marathon is the 10th event in Standard Chartered's global series, attracting tens of thousands of local and international athletes annually. Ahead of the 2026 season, Ms. Trinh Nhu Quynh, Head of Corporate Affairs, Marketing and Brand at Standard Chartered Vietnam, shared insights with VnExpress on the event's new features.

The launch ceremony for the Standard Chartered Hanoi Heritage Marathon 2026 season. *Photo: Standard Chartered Vietnam*

- The Standard Chartered Hanoi Heritage Marathon is entering its third season. According to you, what elements define the event's unique identity?

- Vietnam is a key market for Standard Chartered, with strong growth potential and a presence spanning over 120 years. Bringing the Standard Chartered marathon to Vietnam underscores our long-term commitment to community partnership and promoting healthy living. This also fulfills our brand promise, "here for good", by focusing on sustainable societal value beyond business growth.

The event's distinctiveness goes beyond details like eco-friendly jerseys or medals inspired by Hanoi's heritage. Its greatest value lies in global connectivity.

As the 10th event in Standard Chartered's international running series, held in countries where the bank operates, it offers Vietnamese athletes international organizational standards and connects them with the global running community.

The Standard Chartered Hanoi Heritage Marathon attracts a large number of local and international athletes. *Photo: Standard Chartered Vietnam*

- What is the most notable new feature of this year's season?

- This year, Standard Chartered's 'Breaking Through, Reaching Further' spirit will expand significantly with the launch of the Enterprise Cup 2026. This competition for the business community allows each organization to register a maximum of two teams, with five members per team, to complete the 10km distance. Performance is based on the team's total completion time.

The winning team will receive a 4-day, 3-night trip to Shanghai to participate in the Standard Chartered Shanghai 10KM Run. This offers Vietnamese businesses an opportunity to experience an event within the international Standard Chartered Marathon series and connect with the global running community.

Beyond a race of speed, the Enterprise Cup serves as a platform for businesses to connect through sports, fostering teamwork, cohesion, and a shared pursuit of common goals.

Ms. Trinh Nhu Quynh, Head of Corporate Affairs, Marketing and Brand, Standard Chartered Vietnam. *Photo: Standard Chartered Vietnam*

- How does Standard Chartered spread the spirit of sports to the community?

- We aim for everyone to engage with the marathon, in some capacity. This led to the creation of the SC Word Race minigame, a TikTok Filter challenge inspired by the 'Breaking Through, Reaching Further' spirit of the Standard Chartered Hanoi Heritage Marathon 2026.

Through this digital platform, players can 'run online', testing their English pronunciation to assess quick thinking, concentration, and perseverance in overcoming personal limits. Participants can win prizes from Standard Chartered Vietnam. This is an open invitation for everyone, regardless of age or location, to join this journey of breaking through and reaching further. Additionally, we will introduce creative, rewarded digital challenges to offer more engaging experiences for running enthusiasts.

- Besides the competitive activities, what community initiatives will this season feature?

- This season continues the 'Donate Old Shoes - Receive Joy' initiative, distributing cleaned used shoes, which will be implemented throughout the seasons. During the three-day expo, from 6/11 to 8/11, organizers will collect used shoes donated by athletes and participants. Standard Chartered Vietnam employees, acting as volunteers, will staff the collection booths, cleaning shoes on-site for distribution to disadvantaged communities in remote areas after the event concludes.

Additionally, this year's jerseys are made from recycled materials. This effort aims to reduce plastic waste, promote responsible resource use, and spread a green lifestyle, contributing to Vietnam's net-zero emissions target by 2050.

Minh Ngoc