Each category has specific criteria to ensure fairness across athletic achievements, community impact, and inspirational factors.

In the athlete category, the outstanding professional athlete award requires at least one championship win, or two runner-up finishes, or three third-place finishes during the year. The outstanding amateur athlete must be in the top 3 in at least three major races of 5 km or more, while also leading a running group of at least 50 members or participating in at least three inspirational activities.

Ha Thi Hau (center) receives the Outstanding Amateur Athlete award at the VnExpress Runners of the Year 2024 Awards Gala. Photo: Hieu Luong

Ha Thi Hau (center) receives the Outstanding Amateur Athlete award at the VnExpress Runners of the Year 2024 Awards Gala. Photo: Hieu Luong

The potential professional athlete category is limited to those under 25 years old, competing at the district level or higher, and achieving a top-3 finish in at least two races of 5 km or more. This year, the potential athlete award expands to include an amateur category, requiring nominees under 30 years old, achieving top-3 finishes in at least two races, and demonstrating significant progress throughout the races.

The outstanding veteran runner award is for athletes 50 and older, requiring runners to achieve a top-3 finish in their age group in at least two races of 5 km or more, maintain consistent performance, and participate in at least four races annually or complete a half or full marathon after turning 50.

The inspirational runner award recognizes both professional and amateur athletes who break records, return from injuries, or overcome adversity. The inspirational mentor award requires training at least 50 students or having three students in the top 10 at district-level races or higher, while also contributing to the community.

The running KOL of the year needs at least 10,000 followers on social media, participation in at least three races, and two community activities. The outstanding running club must have at least 100 active members, organize at least 10 internal activities, and five community activities.

"When it comes to ROTY, we want the community to remember this as a fair and inspiring award that accurately reflects the landscape of Vietnam's running movement," a representative of the organizing committee said.

The results of each category are calculated based on 60% from a panel of experts and 40% from readers' votes on the ROTY 2025 portal.

ROTY, organized by VnExpress, launches on 1/10, aiming to honor outstanding achievements, the spirit of pushing limits, and positive contributions to the community. The awards ceremony is scheduled for 25/1/2026 in Hanoi.

Compared to its first season, ROTY 2025 expands to 19 categories and allows runners to self-nominate. With each nomination, runners can briefly state why they believe they meet the category's criteria. The jury will then review and decide whether the runner deserves to be included in the list of nominees.

In conjunction with the event, vRace will launch the online Race to Zero from 15/11 to 31/12, allowing individuals and clubs to accumulate points to redeem gifts. Each kilometer completed will be converted into a newly planted tree with support from the Hope fund.

Lan Anh