Young Runners Shine at VnExpress Marathon Quy Nhon, Boosting Local Economy

The VnExpress Marathon Quy Nhon 2026 took place on September 13 in Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province, attracting 8,000 runners. In the men's 21km category, 20-year-old Le Dinh Tuong secured his third consecutive victory, following his wins in 2023 and 2024. He triumphed in a close contest against Le Hoang Tan and Y Glap Nie, finishing in 1 hour, 13 minutes, and 13 seconds. "I am very happy to win for the third time in a row at home. I felt pressure due to the upcoming National Sports Games, but I managed to increase my pace in the second half," Tuong stated. In the women's 21km race, Doan Thu Hang dominated, crossing the finish line in 1 hour, 25 minutes, and 10 seconds, more than two minutes ahead of her closest competitor. Hang, born in 2001, views this championship as a significant milestone for her career. She noted that Quy Nhon is a top running destination with a beautiful course and excellent support. Nguyen Thanh Dat won the men's 10km race in 34 minutes and 1 second after a close battle with Ha Quang Thang. Pham Huynh Yen Thu claimed victory in the women's 10km with a commanding performance in 39 minutes, finishing over three minutes ahead of Hong Tham. Yen Thu mentioned she participated in the 10km to maintain her form for the upcoming National Sports Games. The 5km races were won by Le Van Thao (16 minutes, 40 seconds) and Nguyen Thi Kim Luyen (19 minutes, 11 seconds). This year's event was moved from its usual June slot to September, offering participants pleasant weather with temperatures around 24 degrees Celsius during the start and finish of the 21km race. The scenic coastal route of Quy Nhon was highly praised by runners. The VnExpress Marathon Quy Nhon has established itself as a premier sports tourism event in the Central region. The three-day festival brought a surge of visitors, benefiting local hospitality, dining, and tourism sectors. Binh Dinh Province considers the marathon a key event for its "National Tourism Year," leveraging it for domestic and international promotion. The province aims to generate VND 35 trillion from tourism this year, with the marathon playing a crucial role. Image: Runners in colorful attire filled the central streets of Quy Nhon, creating a festive atmosphere.