On the morning of 2/9, Gia Lai runner Nguyen Van Long completed his 1,636 km cross-country run from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi in 20 days, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of National Day. His final stop was Ba Dinh Square.
Running an average of 80 km daily for 20 consecutive days under various weather conditions was a significant physical and mental challenge. Long lost 4 kg during the run. However, as he stated at the beginning of his journey, he considered this challenge "a small gesture of gratitude to the ancestors, heroes, martyrs, and wounded soldiers who built and defended the country."
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Long (pink shirt) was welcomed by members of Hanoi running clubs who accompanied him to the finish line at Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi on the morning of 2/9. Photo: Tuan Quach Media |
Long (pink shirt) was welcomed by members of Hanoi running clubs who accompanied him to the finish line at Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi on the morning of 2/9. Photo: Tuan Quach Media
Also in Hanoi on the morning of 2/9, the Starlake Running Club organized an 80 km Ekiden relay to celebrate National Day. Members divided the course into sections, working together to complete the distance. Participants were divided into 12 teams, representing the 12 months of the year, each team taking turns to complete the 80 km within one tracklog.
"This Ekiden relay was not just a physical challenge, but also a way to strengthen friendships, spread the spirit of sports and national pride, and affirm our club's motto of 'running for health, running for the community'," said Ho Thi Thanh Binh, a Starlake Running Club member.
On the morning of 30/8, the Tay Ha Noi Runners (THNR), Dan Phuong Runners (DPR), and 1981 Runners co-organized the event "Drawing the Map of Vietnam - Running for the Fatherland - A Journey of 80 Years of Independence, Freedom, and Happiness" in Dan Phuong, Hoai Duc. Hundreds of runners from across the country collaborated to create the shape of Vietnam on a GPS map.
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Runners participate in the "Drawing the Map of Vietnam - Running for the Fatherland - A Journey of 80 Years of Independence, Freedom, and Happiness" event in Dan Phuong, Hoai Duc on the morning of 30/8. Photo: Vietnam Best Marathon |
Runners participate in the "Drawing the Map of Vietnam - Running for the Fatherland - A Journey of 80 Years of Independence, Freedom, and Happiness" event in Dan Phuong, Hoai Duc on the morning of 30/8. Photo: Vietnam Best Marathon
"We wanted to contribute a meaningful activity to the nation's 80th National Day celebrations. This was an opportunity for the running community not only to exercise, but also to ignite national pride," said Nguyen Diem Phuong, head of the organizing committee.
In Da Nang, members of the Danang Runners also organized a special long run on the morning of 31/8, titled "Drawing the Map of Vietnam – Commemorating Independence Day." The GPS route, recreating the shape of Vietnam, was considered a heartfelt tribute to the significant holiday.
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A Danang Runners member runs a 29.45 km route shaped like Vietnam on the morning of 31/8. |
With the message that "sports are not only about physical training, but also a way to express love for the country," a new running group established in Ho Chi Minh City earlier this year - Uncommons Run Club - chose a different way to celebrate National Day. On the morning of 31/8, members ran along familiar routes, visiting historical landmarks associated with the city's formation, such as the Central Post Office and the Reunification Palace.
"We didn't set goals for distance or pace, nor did we draw a map. We simply wanted to visit meaningful landmarks on this occasion, allowing each member to feel the connection between the past and present, and appreciate the achievements of our nation," said Huy Le, a member of Uncommons Run Club.
In addition to community events, many runners set personal challenges to commemorate National Day.
In Hanoi, Le Hung Cuong, a member of the Long Distance Runners club, ran 80 km in a Thanh Tri urban area. While initially planning to run solo, he was surprised by fellow runners who joined him, providing pacing support and fostering a sense of camaraderie.
Bui Van Huy, from the Thong Nhat Park Runners, ran three consecutive runs over three days, each distance holding historical significance: 20.90 km on 31/8 ("Freedom Run"), 19.45 km on 1/9 ("Independence Run"), and 19.8 km on 2/9 ("Happiness Run," commemorating the August Revolution on 19/8). He described it as "a wonderful and emotional journey," running amidst the festive atmosphere and vibrant decorations of the capital during the national holiday.
Dao Ba Thanh, a 21-year-old runner from the XRC club, challenged himself to run 209.45 km around Thanh Xuan Park Lake from the evening of 31/8 to the evening of 2/9. The number 209.45 symbolizes 2/9/1945 – the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. For every kilometer run, Thanh donated 10,000 VND to the Future Launch Station Fund for children in mountainous areas and auctioned his Coros watch, which recorded the entire challenge.
Xuan Diu
