From dominant champions to a runner crawling to the finish, this year’s race revealed both excellence and the raw human spirit of endurance.
The 2026 National Marathon - Tien Phong Newspaper unfolded under the sun and sea breeze of Nha Trang, bringing together more than 12,000 runners in a celebration of endurance, excellence and human spirit.
Across distances and categories, the race delivered both dominant victories and one moment that transcended competition.
Dominance reaffirmed at the top
In the women’s 5km event, Nguyen Thi Oanh once again proved untouchable. Facing a field of strong national athletes, she surged ahead early and maintained her lead to cross the finish line first in 16 minutes 26 seconds.
It was her 10th consecutive title at the Tien Phong Marathon - a remarkable milestone that underscores her sustained dominance in Vietnamese athletics. Her performance also edged past her own result at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand.
Nguyen Thi Oanh.
On the men’s full marathon course, Hoang Nguyen Thanh continued his extraordinary run of success. With a time of 2 hours 22 minutes 19 seconds, he secured his seventh straight championship.
As he crossed the line, arms raised and a quiet smile on his face, it was the image of an athlete long familiar with victory. Behind that composure lies years of relentless training and sacrifice, often unseen.
Hoang Nguyen Thanh.Nguyen Trung Cuong.
Meanwhile, Nguyen Trung Cuong made an impressive debut in the men’s 21km event, finishing first in 1 hour 9 minutes 23 seconds in a performance defined by speed, control and consistency. In the women’s half marathon, Le Thi Lam claimed the top spot.
A finish that moved a nation
Yet, beyond the medals and records, it was the women’s marathon that left the deepest impression.
Hoang Thi Ngoc Hoa, a seasoned runner with four marathon titles at this very event, once again pushed herself to the limit. But this time, the race demanded everything she had.
With just about 20 meters remaining, her strength gave way. Her steps faltered, her body swayed, and she collapsed onto the road, less than a meter from the finish line.
For a moment, time seemed to pause.
Then, driven by sheer will, she began to crawl.
Each movement was slow, painful, but unwavering. As the crowd erupted in applause, Ngoc Hoa dragged herself forward, crossing the finish line in second place.
Even in that moment of exhaustion, she raised her arm to check her watch - a small gesture that spoke volumes about the mindset of an elite athlete.
She was quickly attended to by medical staff and later recovered.
Though she could not defend her title, which went to Pham Thi Hong Le, Ngoc Hoa’s effort became the defining image of the race - a reminder that in marathon running, the greatest victories are not always measured in medals.
Hoang Thi Ngoc Hoa.
Where greatness meets grit
The 67th edition of the Tien Phong Marathon was, in many ways, a showcase of Vietnam’s top athletic talent.
But more than that, it revealed the dual nature of sport: the pursuit of excellence and the test of human limits.
Nguyen Thi Oanh’s decade of dominance, Hoang Nguyen Thanh’s enduring supremacy, and Nguyen Trung Cuong’s breakthrough performance all highlighted the heights of achievement.
Yet it was Hoang Thi Ngoc Hoa, crawling across the finish line, who captured something deeper - the essence of perseverance.
In the end, the race was not only about who stood on the podium, but about the moments that reminded everyone why they run in the first place.
Vietnamnet.vn
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