The event, which took place on June 9, saw numerous members of the national athletic team, including Nguyen Thi Oanh and Nguyen Trung Cuong, who delivered outstanding performances.

The marathon featured competitive 21km and 42km races, attracting top athletes from across the country. The 42km race began at 3 am, followed by the 21km race at 3:30 am. The favorable weather conditions, with temperatures around 28°C, 85% humidity, and a wind speed of 5 km/h, provided an ideal setting for the runners.

Despite the last-minute withdrawal of notable athletes Hoang Nguyen Thanh and Trinh Quoc Luong, the 42km race remained fiercely competitive. Hoang Van Hon led the race, finishing first with a time of 2 hours, 45 minutes, and 06 seconds. Born in 1995, Hon initially participated in 5km races before progressing to marathons, starting in 2022. 

Ha Van Duoc secured second place with a time of 2 hours, 52 minutes, and 16 seconds, while Nguyen Van Thuyet finished third with a time of 2 hours, 56 minutes, and 24 seconds.

In the women's 42km event, Pham Thi Hong Le demonstrated her enduring talent, finishing first with a time of 3 hours, 04 minutes, and 42 seconds. Nong Thi Chang followed in second place, completing the race in 3 hours, 28 minutes, and 53 seconds.

The 21km race was dominated by Nguyen Trung Cuong, who finished first with a time of 1 hour, 13 minutes, and 03 seconds, maintaining a significant lead throughout the race. Le Van Huong finished second with a time of 1 hour, 14 minutes, and 46 seconds, and Trinh Minh Tam came in third at 1 hour, 14 minutes, and 59 seconds.

Nguyen Trung Cuong's recent achievements include winning two gold medals in the 5,000m and 3,000m steeplechase events at the Taiwan (China) Open Athletics Championship on June 2. Within a week, the 24-year-old athlete secured three championship titles in both domestic and international tournaments. Cuong's familiarity with the local terrain and weather conditions, being a native of Ha Tinh, contributed to his remarkable performance.

Born in 2000 in Ky Thuong commune, Ky Anh district, Ha Tinh province, Nguyen Trung Cuong began his athletic career with the national team in 2016, specializing in the 3,000m steeplechase under coach Tran Van Sy. His career pinnacle was winning the gold medal at the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia in 2023, with a time of 8 minutes, 51 seconds, and 99 milliseconds.

In the women's 21km race, Nguyen Thi Oanh swiftly took the lead, finishing first with a time of 1 hour, 25 minutes, and 31 seconds. Initially registered for the 10km race, Oanh decided to challenge herself with the 21km distance. 

Reflecting on her experience, she said: “There were a few male athletes running with me throughout the race. The weather was quite hot, but luckily the organizers moved the start time earlier, so everything went smoothly. This race is not just a competition but a journey filled with pride and endless gratitude."

In addition to the main events, the marathon also featured 10km and 5km amateur races for both men and women, providing participants with an opportunity to enjoy the scenic routes of the Journey to Lotus Village Marathon 2024.

Dai Nam