The VnExpress Marathon All-Star is setting challenging new standards for runners, particularly with its strict cut-off times (COT). To qualify for the event, male athletes must achieve a full marathon time under 4 hours or a half marathon under 2 hours. Female athletes need a full marathon under 5 hours or a half marathon under 2 hours 30 minutes. These demanding entry requirements ensure a high professional standard and establish a race geared towards speed.

VnExpress Marathon All-Star 2026 schedule. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

The true test for participants, however, lies in the cut-off times on race day. For the 42km distance, the race starts at 5h and the course closes at 9h30. The 21km distance begins at 5h30 and closes at 7h45. This means that to be officially recognized as completing the race, both male and female runners must finish the full marathon within a maximum of 4 hours 30 minutes and the half marathon within 2 hours 15 minutes.

Observing the 4 hours 30 minutes full marathon COT, many runners question if it creates greater pressure for female participants, given their 42km entry standard is sub5, while for men it is sub4. According to the organizing committee, the COT does not aim to favor or disadvantage any group. Instead, it is established as a common benchmark, positioning the All-Star as a high-speed competition.

"The 4 hours 30 minutes COT for the full marathon aims to motivate female runners after achieving the sub5 entry standard. For men, even though the COT is more lenient than their entry standard, it remains a boundary requiring disciplined performance to maintain form," a representative from the organizing committee stated.

The VnExpress Marathon All-Star 2026 course is fully closed, ensuring a consistent race pace for athletes. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

Similarly, for the 21km distance, the 2 hours 15 minutes COT forces female runners to run 15 minutes faster than their entry standard of 2 hours 30 minutes. Meanwhile, male runners need to maintain focus on strategy and nutrition to stay within a safe zone and avoid falling behind.

While some marathons worldwide use entry standards, not all set challenging COTs like the All-Star. Major events such as the Boston Marathon or TCS London Marathon, which host tens of thousands of participants, set entry standards as high as sub3 for men or sub3h30 for women aged 18 to 34. However, their COT remains at 8 hours to accommodate the majority, including special runners like the elderly and those with disabilities.

By implementing a stricter COT than its entry standard, the VnExpress Marathon All-Star shares similarities with highly professional races in Japan. The Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon categorizes athletes based on registered performance, with the lowest threshold being sub3:30. Runners must clear COTs at checkpoints, where the 40 km mark is 3:20. The Fukuoka International Marathon also groups participants by entry standard, with the lowest being sub2:35. Its COT is strict on the course, with the 40 km mark at 2:31:30.

Male and female runners stride on the VnExpress Marathon All-Star 2025 course. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

Mai Anh, a female runner who achieved sub5 last year and is aiming for the All-Star for the first time, said the 4 hours 30 minutes COT forced her to adjust her training methods. Instead of just prioritizing mileage accumulation, she switched to cyclical training, maintaining regular long runs, adding tempo to "anchor" her pace, interspersed with short speed workouts and strength training to prevent fatigue in the latter half. This also included focusing on sleep and nutrition to avoid losing crucial minutes.

"Earning an All-Star medal is not easy, but its difficulty makes it worthwhile. The COT is a clear motivation that forces me to be more serious in my training," she stated.

Given the limited number of female runners achieving sub4 in Vietnam, easing the entry standard will encourage more women to participate. Concurrently, a strict COT will motivate them to push their limits in a race where mental fortitude plays a crucial role. Conversely, for male runners, the "extra" 30 minutes between their entry standard and the COT demands tactical risk management.

Hai Long