Held on the morning of 19/4, the VnExpress Marathon Hue 2026 gathered over 200 international athletes from more than 40 countries and territories, including Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Sweden. Among them, Arvin Esmaeili (United Kingdom) and his close friend Xander (Sweden), both active members of the Tag Fitness club in Da Nang, ran the 5km distance.
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Arvin (left) and a Vietnamese runner crossing the finish line on the morning of 19/4. Photo: VnExpress Marathon |
Arvin (left) and a Vietnamese runner crossing the finish line on the morning of 19/4. Photo: VnExpress Marathon
Hue's race route, passing heritage landmarks like Truong Tien Bridge, the Perfume River, and Quoc Hoc Hue, attracted Arvin to register. The city's many tree-lined streets and diverse imperial cuisine also suited his desire to compete and explore culture.
Arvin's journey in Hue began a few days before the race. Traveling from Da Nang to Hue did not take long, so he arrived early to visit Dai Noi, Thien Mu Pagoda, stroll through the old town, and learn about local life.
"I had heard about banh nam and che heo quay before but had never tried them. They sound very unique, especially che heo quay, which is both savory and sweet, making me even more curious," Arvin said.
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The group of international runners celebrating after completing the race. Photo: VnExpress Marathon |
The group of international runners celebrating after completing the race. Photo: VnExpress Marathon
As banh nam and che contain a lot of fat and carbohydrates that are difficult to digest, Arvin stated he plans to taste these two dishes after completing the race. The runner mentioned this gives him extra motivation to compete.
"We passed many local eateries that looked very appealing, but we didn't dare to eat much. Everyone told each other to finish the race first, then eat whatever we wanted," Xander shared.
Arvin and Xander arrived in Vietnam in early 2026. They quickly befriended a group from various countries who shared a passion for sports. This group often plans to participate in races combined with travel to many localities. In Hue, they traveled in a group of over 10 people.
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Mariana (second from left) with her friends picking up their bibs on the afternoon of 18/4. Photo: VnExpress Marathon |
Mariana (second from left) with her friends picking up their bibs on the afternoon of 18/4. Photo: VnExpress Marathon
Brazilian runner Mariana Bavaresco, a member of the group, commented on the organization: "Everything was very clear and easy to follow. I felt comfortable participating in this event."
The group stated they would stay in Hue for a few more days to continue exploring the royal tombs, experience boat cruises, paddleboarding on the Perfume River, or visit cafes and enjoy the city's slow pace of life.
Thy An
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