VnExpress Marathon Nha Trang 2026 to Feature Challenging Luong Son Pass

The VnExpress Marathon Nha Trang 2026 is set to reintroduce the challenging Luong Son Pass to its 21km and 42km routes, a significant shift from last year's focus on an urban experience. This return of the pass is expected to present a new strategic challenge for runners in the most registered 21km category, emphasizing the importance of pacing. The Luong Son Pass has historically been a defining feature of the VnExpress Marathon Nha Trang, posing a considerable test due to its gradient and placement mid-race. Last year, it was omitted from the 21km course to enhance the urban running experience. The 2026 course will largely mirror the 2024 design with minor adjustments aimed at optimizing the runner's journey. All participants will commence and conclude their races at the 2/4 Square, situated on the scenic Tran Phu coastal road, which forms a substantial portion of all four race distances. The 5km race will begin at 6:30 AM, 15 minutes later than in 2025. The route will follow Tran Phu street, with the turnaround point located near the Naval Academy, a change from last year's turning point near the Tran Hung Dao intersection. The cut-off time for this distance is 7:45 AM. The 10km race starts at 4:15 AM, also delayed by 15 minutes from the previous year. The course maintains its coastal route, turning back near Vinpearl. This distance features a single cut-off time (COT) at the 6km mark at 5:30 AM, with the road closing at 6:15 AM. For the 21km race, the start time remains 4:00 AM and the finish cut-off is 7:30 AM. The primary route alteration involves a diversion. After heading north along Pham Van Dong Avenue, runners will turn onto the Luong Son Pass at approximately the 9.5km mark, a departure from the Libera urban area route in 2025. The climb up the pass will span about 1.5km, after which participants will descend and rejoin the coastal road. This section, occurring midway through the 21km journey, will be critical for performance, coinciding with a phase where runners have moved past initial excitement and must conserve energy for the latter half. The 21km race will have two COTs: at the 8km mark (5:20 AM) and the 18km mark (7:00 AM). The 42km marathon will shift its start time from 2:30 AM (2025) to 3:00 AM, while the finish cut-off remains 9:30 AM. The route will traverse Le Thanh Ton, Nguyen Trai, Cao Ba Quat, To Huu streets, run along the Quan Truong River, pass by Nha Tho Nui (Mountain Church) and Po Nagar Cham Towers, cross Tran Phu Bridge, and then ascend the Luong Son Pass at the 24.5km mark. Compared to 2025, the urban section will no longer go through Libera, instead utilizing routes along the Quan Truong River and Nha Tho Nui. The number of COTs for the 42km race is reduced from five in 2025 to three, located at the 10km mark (4:30 AM), 22.5km mark (6:25 AM), and 39km mark (9:00 AM). The VM Nha Trang 2026 course has received certification from World Athletics and AIMS, signifying that performances will be officially recognized and can be used as qualifying standards for international marathons. Throughout the entire route, organizers have strategically placed 23 water stations and 18 medical aid stations, particularly in high-density runner areas and challenging terrain sections. These support points will remain fixed throughout the competition, aiding runners in maintaining their stamina and ensuring safety. Source: VnExpress