Chau Tuyet Van, a prominent taekwondo athlete, is set to conquer a new challenge by participating in the 10km distance at the VnExpress Marathon Green Paradise Can Gio. This marks her first attempt at this distance, an exciting milestone she will share with close friends.

Van's decision to run stems from a personal goal and a promise to support a friend who is new to running. "I'll be happy just to finish 10km. Maintaining a pace of about 6 minutes and 30 seconds per kilometer is fine for me", she said. She rarely registers for running events, usually participating as a guest. However, the scenic route, abundant greenery, and proximity to Ho Chi Minh City made the VM Green Paradise Can Gio an appealing choice. The world taekwondo champion was particularly impressed by the race medal, which depicts the mangrove ecosystem.

Around 5 PM on 29/4, Van arrived to collect her bib number and race kit at Vincom Mega Mall Thao Dien in Thu Duc City. Due to her morning training schedule, she could only arrange time in the late afternoon to complete the procedures. Six close friends will accompany her, including one who has never run before. "The route to Can Gio island district is quite close, so we invited each other to register and run together for fun. This is also a rare opportunity for the whole group to go together", she added.

Chau Tuyet Van (in white) shows her bib number and race kit. *Photo: Thai Anh*

Unlike previous participations, primarily in the short 5km distance, Van decided to increase the challenge to 10km this time. She had run in Nha Trang but had limited experience with longer distances. "This is my first time running 10km, so I see it as a small milestone for myself", the athlete confided. She hopes that participating in this race will be a stepping stone to build a dynamic image associated with running. She is currently active in a running group and regularly trains with friends, though she has not shared much about this activity on social media.

The martial artist and her friends will participate in the 10km distance. *Photo: Thai Anh*

The athlete stated that she frequently visits Can Gio to relax and enjoy seafood, so she is familiar with the routes. She advises participants to plan an early departure to avoid ferry delays and ensure their race schedule. The martial artist also prepared thoroughly physically and with equipment, including sunscreen to adapt to the weather conditions. "Running is a joy for me. This time, I get to exercise and have friends accompany me, which makes me even more excited", Van said.

Chau Tuyet Van (born in 1990, Ho Chi Minh City) is one of Vietnam's prominent taekwondo figures. Introduced to martial arts at age 7, she quickly showcased her talent by consistently winning numerous world, Asian, and SEA Games gold medals in poomsae (form). Beyond her athletic achievements, Van recently participated in the television show "Chi dep dap gio mua hai" (Sisters Who Make Waves, season two), garnering significant fan attention.

Early on 1/5, Chau Tuyet Van, along with 5,000 athletes, will stride along the coastal route and through Can Gio's mangrove forests. The races are scheduled to start and finish in the Dai lo Thoi dai area, part of the 2,870 ha Vinhomes Green Paradise ecological township.

Thai Anh