By lap 23, Hong Le fell behind, leaving Tuyet and Oanh to compete for the lead. Instead of immediately accelerating, Nguyen Thi Oanh strategically drafted behind Tuyet to conserve energy.

The women's 10,000m race began at 6 a.m. on 12/8 at Hoa Xuan Stadium. Nguyen Thi Oanh (center in the photo, representing Bac Ninh) competed alongside Pham Thi Hong Le (Gia Lai - number 187), Le Thi Tuyet (Dak Lak - 160), Bui Thi Thu Ha (Thanh Hoa), Le Thi Lam (Ha Tinh), Trieu Thi Binh (Cao Bang), and Luu Thi Thanh Tinh (TP HCM).

The athletes ran 25 laps. After 13 laps, Oanh, Tuyet, and Le remained in the leading group.

When the bell rang for the final lap, Oanh surged forward, overtaking Tuyet. The Dak Lak runner glanced back but couldn't keep up.

Oanh easily finished first with a time of 33 minutes 56.11 seconds, securing her third gold medal at this year's National Athletics Championships, following her victories in the 5,000m and 1,500m races.

After crossing the finish line, Thu Ha collapsed and required oxygen. "The sun was intense; I was exhausted and needed oxygen to recover," she told VnExpress.

Hong Le was also exhausted and lay down on the track after completing the 25 laps. The 1998-born runner retired from the national athletics team in early 2024 to focus on amateur competitions, winning numerous 21km and 42km races domestically and internationally. However, she hasn't won a medal at this year's National Athletics Championships.

Le Thi Tuyet finished second, winning the silver medal with a time of 34 minutes 5 seconds. This was her second silver medal at the championships, after the 5,000m race where she also lost to Nguyen Thi Oanh.

Bui Thi Thu Ha, initially in fourth place, overtook Hong Le to finish third and win the bronze medal with a time of 35 minutes 28.42 seconds.

The women's 400m hurdles final also took place this morning, with Quach Thi Lan (Thanh Hoa) winning gold with a time of 56.98 seconds. Le Thi Tuyet Mai (Nghe An) finished second, taking silver with 58.79 seconds. The bronze medal went to Can Tho athlete Ha Ngoc Tram with a time of 1 minute 0.65 seconds.

In the women's javelin throw final, Bui Thi Xuan from the Army team won gold with a throw of 51.29 meters.

The silver medal also went to her teammate, Bui Thi Trang, with 45.95 meters. Ca To Uyen from the Son La team achieved 44.22 meters, winning the bronze medal.

The women's heptathlon is taking place over two days. In the photo, Hoang Thanh Giang celebrates after clearing the high jump bar.

The 2025 National Athletics Championships are being held at Hoa Xuan Stadium, Da Nang, from 9 to 13/8. This event serves as a selection trial for the Vietnamese national athletics team for the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand later this year.

Duc Dong