Running in Nghe An began to develop after the Covid-19 pandemic, coinciding with VnExpress Marathon's expansion in the central region with events in Hue, Quy Nhon, and later Da Nang. Clubs like Nghe An Runners and Vinh Runners emerged during this period, and both have since attracted about 7,000 members.

The community is large, enthusiastic, and includes prominent figures. For many years, Nghe An runners have longed to compete on home ground in a sufficiently large event. In fact, to date, the locality has only hosted three full marathon races: Nong Thon Viet (2023), Hanh Trinh ve Lang Sen (2024), and Hanh Trinh theo chan Bac (2026). These events typically attract only about 3,000 participants.

Le Van Huong, an excellent young runner in the Nghe An Runner jersey. *Photo: VnExpress Marathon*

Le Van Huong, a renowned Nghe An runner and champion of VM Hue in 2025 and 2026, stated that the number and scale of races have not fully met the local running community's expectations. Some quality events are not held annually, or only offer distances under 21 km. This has left the community, which has matured over many years, feeling unfulfilled.

Therefore, when VnExpress Marathon announced bringing its Grand Tour event to Nghe An, with a projected 7,000 runners, Le Van Huong expressed initial feelings of joy and pride. Pride stemmed from Nghe An officially being added to the destination map of VnExpress Marathon, Vietnam's largest running series. Joy came from the local running community gaining a professional, well-organized, and large-scale platform to compete and showcase the spirit of the people from the Hong mountain and Lam river region.

Having competed in many events within the system, the runner born in 2002 noted that at each destination, VnExpress Marathon consistently maintains high standards for impressive race routes, water stations, and security. For instance, recent events featured up to 24 water stations, boosting runners' confidence for long-distance races. Operations, race-kit distribution, and sideline experiences are always meticulously organized.

Nghe An runners training before the race. *Photo: NAR*

"More importantly, VnExpress Marathon consistently transforms each locality into an annual destination. This revitalizes the community within the province, encouraging its growth and attracting more people to running," Le Van Huong commented.

Sharing this view, Binh Trung Phuong, Chairman of Nghe An Runners, likened the VnExpress Marathon event to a refreshing breeze after summer. He mentioned that initially, members mistakenly thought the VnExpress Marathon Grand Tour Nghe An fanpage was a scam. "We were skeptical, but after checking with the organizers, everyone was overjoyed that our long-held wish had come true," the NAR Chairman stated.

During the Super Early Bird phase alone, the event received a positive response from the Nghe An running community. According to data from Nghe An Runners club, by the end of 20/8, over 1,000 local members had registered. Of these, more than 60% of runners registered for the 42 km and 21 km distances.

Trung Phuong noted that many club members had rescheduled or canceled participation in other races before and after Nghe An to optimize their performance on home turf. "We consider this our biggest festival and are ready to support the organizers to ensure the race is successful," the runner emphasized.

Binh Trung Phuong, Chairman of NAR. *Photo: NVCC*

According to him, Nghe An deserves a place on the VnExpress Marathon running map because it meets all the necessary conditions. First, it boasts a diverse road system, including major routes like Vinh - Cua Lo Boulevard, which is 32 m wide with 8 lanes and almost zero elevation gain, making it ideal for setting personal records. Many previously organized races have been able to close roads to ensure runner safety.

Next, the unique landscape features both beaches and numerous scenic spots, sacred pagodas, and historical relics. Finally, the province offers excellent accommodation capacity with approximately 30,000 hotel rooms, along with convenient rail, road, and air transportation connections.

Phuong and many club members hope Nghe An will become an annual destination, contributing to a more vibrant running movement and promoting the region's beauty to a broader community.

The VnExpress Marathon Grand Tour Nghe An will take place on 27/9. The planned route will start and finish at Ho Chi Minh Square. Runners can pass through Lenin Boulevard, a wide, tree-lined inner-city thoroughfare connecting the city center with Vinh International Airport, which recently underwent upgrades totaling over VND 500 billion.

Lan Chau Island is located at the end of Cua Lo Beach, Nghe An. *Photo: Sach Nguyen*

For long distances, Vinh - Cua Lo Boulevard is a highlight. This route is 32 m wide, with a flat surface and almost no incline. It opened to traffic at the end of 2024, connecting the city center with Cua Lo Beach. Flanked by rice fields and mountains, it offers a natural setting for competition. Duong Hai Anh, VnExpress Marathon Race Director, considers the Vinh area route among the most scenic in the system.

Responding to the community's aspirations, the organizers stated they are working closely with local authorities and relevant agencies to develop optimal plans for the race route, water stations, and sideline activities for runners. The event will also incorporate regional identity into its merchandise. The jerseys are inspired by green hues and village bamboo hedges, while the medals feature the distinct imagery of a North Central Coast village, specifically Lang Sen.

Hoai Phuong

The VnExpress Marathon Grand Tour Nghe An 2026 will take place on 27/9 in TP Vinh, Nghe An, featuring four distances: 5 km, 10 km, 21 km, and 42 km, and is expected to attract 7,000 athletes. This marks the first destination for the Grand Tour model, which aims to guide runners on a journey of discovery, combining running with local culture, history, and cuisine. The planned route will start and finish at Ho Chi Minh Square, passing through Lenin Boulevard and Vinh - Cua Lo Boulevard. The event merchandise embodies Nghe An's identity, with medals depicting Lang Sen, jerseys inspired by bamboo hedges, and finisher shirts exclusively for the 21 km and 42 km distances. Runners can register here.