After three seasons, VnExpress Marathon Hai Phong has become a popular year-end destination for runners aiming to break personal records. This trend is most evident in the 42 km distance, where the number of finishers completing the race in under three hours has consistently risen each year.

Runner starting at VnExpress Marathon Hai Phong 2025. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

The first season in 2023 saw 82 sub3 finishers, which was then the highest number at a domestic marathon. One year later, this number increased to 91. By 2025, 134 runners finished under three hours, including eight female athletes, setting a new milestone for Vietnamese marathon running. The following are three factors contributing to this growth.

The course minimizes pace disruption

Terrain is Hai Phong's primary advantage. The course features many long, straight, flat sections with few sharp turns and almost no significant inclines.

This aspect is particularly crucial for runners targeting specific times. Over the 42,195 km distance, every uphill climb, sharp change in direction, or speed adjustment drains athletes' energy and makes maintaining pace difficult.

In Hai Phong, runners can maintain a steady pace for extended periods. From the very first season, athletes identified the flat and straight course as a key reason for the numerous personal records achieved.

This advantage is reflected in the performances of many strong runners. In 2023, Pham Thi Hong Le won the women's 42 km with 2 hours 46 minutes 48 seconds, setting both a personal best and breaking her own system record held for three years. Bui Thi Thu Ha improved her time by approximately 22 minutes compared to her first marathon. Le Minh Tuan achieved 2 hours 58 minutes, about 4 minutes faster than his previous personal best.

One year later, Hua Thuan Long defended his championship with 2 hours 32 minutes 11 seconds, roughly two minutes faster than the previous season. By 2025, Hong Le lowered her personal best to 2 hours 42 minutes 20 seconds. Hoang Viet Vi Ly finished first in the men's race with 2 hours 26 minutes 44 seconds in his first 42 km race.

Winter becomes an advantage

While the terrain allows runners to maintain pace, the late December race date helps them mitigate a major marathon challenge: temperature.

Hai Phong enters winter when the race takes place. In 2023, race day was cold and dry. In the 2024 season, temperatures were only around 12-13 degrees Celsius. An early start also helps athletes limit exposure to the sun and rising temperatures in the late morning.

The timing also suits many runners' training cycles. Being at the end of the year, Hai Phong becomes a place for them to test the results of months of training. Instead of spreading their energy across multiple consecutive races, some athletes choose Hai Phong as their main goal and build their training plans to peak in December.

Runner receiving bibs in 12-13 degrees Celsius weather in Hai Phong 2024. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

When record-hunting becomes a collective goal

After its first season, VM Hai Phong generated significant community interest. The record of 82 sub3 finishers in 2023 drew attention from performance-oriented runners.

In subsequent seasons, communities spontaneously formed sub3 hunting groups. They collectively prepared race strategies and shared training plans. Experienced runners guided newcomers on adapting to course conditions. Some volunteered to pace teammates to help them achieve their goals.

In running, the collective element plays a role in maintaining training motivation and achieving goals. On the course, a large group collectively aiming for a specific time is more likely to succeed. As the number of runners setting performance goals increases, it also becomes easier for individuals to find groups with similar paces.

Pacer leading a group of sub3 runners on the Hai Phong course. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

This effect amplified in the 2025 season, when 5,000 people registered for the 42 km distance. This marked the first time the full marathon attracted more participants than the half marathon within the VnExpress Marathon system, indicating that not only elite runners but also amateur athletes chose the longest distance.

The change is reflected in the performance figures: from 82 to 91, then 134 sub3 finishers in three years. In 2025 alone, eight female athletes broke the three-hour mark, and Bui Van Phu was the last to achieve sub3 with 2 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds.

These three factors complement each other. The course and weather provide the foundation, while the community effect creates motivation for the race to continue elevating performance standards.

In 2026, VnExpress Marathon Hai Phong returns on 27/12 with four distances: 5 km, 10 km, 21 km, and 42 km. After 10 days of registration opening, the 42 km distance alone had already reached 1,000 participants, accounting for one-half of the total registrations at that time.

The number of sub3 runners increased by over 63% in just three seasons. The question for the 4th season is no longer who will win, but how far the community's performance standards can be pushed at VM Hai Phong.

Thy An

VnExpress Marathon Hai Phong 2026 takes place on 27/12 with four distances: 5 km, 10 km, 21 km, and 42 km. Registration is currently in the Super Early Bird phase until 2/10, with prices starting from 400,000 VND. Runners can register here.