Organizers of the 2025 VnExpress Marathon Can Tho have revealed the routes for the four race distances: 42km, 21km, 10km, and 5km. All races will start at Song Hau Park in the heart of Can Tho.

The course will take runners over several key bridges: Quang Trung Bridge, linking the city center with the Cai Khe area; Hung Loi Bridge, spanning over 500m across the Can Tho River; Tran Phu Bridge and Nguyen Van Cu Bridge, vital intersections of commerce in the city. A series of smaller bridges within the city are also included in the route.

Two female runners cross Tran Phu Bridge during the 21km race at VnExpress Marathon Libera Nha Trang 2025. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

The 42km route has a distinct finish line.

The pedestrian bridge connects the riverbank park with Ben Ninh Kieu. Photo: An Binh

The 21km route.

The 10km route.

The 5km route.

This unique feature reflects the rhythm of life in the Mekong Delta region. According to Duong Hai Anh, the race director of VnExpress Marathon, most of the bridges have gentle slopes and manageable lengths, posing a reasonable physical challenge.

"The total elevation gain for the 42km route is only about 75m, among the lowest of any marathon in Vietnam. This means less uphill running for participants, conserving energy and increasing the likelihood of maintaining a steady pace throughout. The flat terrain also offers a better chance for runners to achieve personal bests (PBs) compared to other races," Anh said.

Anh also believes the Can Tho course is suitable for both first-time marathoners and seasoned runners looking to improve their speed.

Two female runners cross Tran Phu Bridge during the 21km race at VnExpress Marathon Libera Nha Trang 2025. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

Another notable aspect of the full marathon is the separate finish line for the 42km race at Binh Thuy Square, instead of sharing the finish line with other distances at Song Hau Park. According to Anh, this will alleviate traffic congestion in the city center during the morning rush hour.

"The full marathon has a cut-off time of 6 hours and 30 minutes, meaning runners will be finishing from early morning to almost noon. If everyone finished downtown, the risk of traffic jams and safety concerns would be significantly high. The Binh Thuy area is spacious, close to the airport road, ensuring safety and a comfortable experience for runners," he said.

Organizers stated that the route design not only ensures the accurate 42.195km distance but also incorporates experience from previous marathons held in Can Tho. Factors such as traffic safety, logistical convenience, medical support, and local characteristics were carefully considered.

The pedestrian bridge connects the riverbank park with Ben Ninh Kieu. Photo: An Binh

The other three races will all start and finish at Song Hau Park. The 21km route will pass through central streets like Hung Vuong, 3/2, and 30/4, with cut-off points at km12 and km19.4. The 10km route will loop around Tran Phu, Tran Hung Dao, Hoa Binh, and Ta Uyen streets. The 5km route will primarily wind along the riverside, Le Loi Bridge, and Tran Phu Bridge.

The 2025 VnExpress Marathon Can Tho is the first race in the system to be held in the Mekong Delta region. Choosing Can Tho is part of a strategy to expand the national running map and provide runners with an opportunity to experience the unique local culture.

The race will take place on 14/9, a period of pleasant weather with temperatures ranging from 26-31 degrees Celsius, ideal for runners to achieve their best. Besides the race, runners can explore the Mekong Delta, visit the Cai Rang floating market, and enjoy local specialties: Cam leaf sticky rice cake, grilled snakehead fish, and orchard fruits.

Lan Anh