Hanoi (VNA) – The running event My Vietnam 2026 is scheduled to take place on August 23 at the Vietnam Exposition Centre in Dong Anh, Hanoi, expected to attract around 15,000 domestic and international runners.
Organised by Zaha Vietnam JSC, the event is among the country’s key sporting activities marking the upcoming 81st anniversary of its National Day (September 2, 1945 – 2026).
A notable feature of this year’s edition is the introduction, for the first time, of an Elite category for high-performance runners, alongside the event’s development under a “green race” model.
At a press conference held in Hanoi on the afternoon of June 22, organisers said the competition is expected to welcome approximately 15,000 participants competing across the four distances of 42km, 21km, 9.2km and 2.9km.
Both the start and finish lines will be located at the centre, regarded as one of the largest exhibition complexes in Southeast Asia.
One of the highlights of this year’s event is the appointment of coach and athlete Nguyen Van Lai as the race ambassador. A six-time SEA Games gold medallist in the 5,000m and 10,000m events, and a 13-time national champion in the 10,000m distance, he is expected to inspire Vietnam’s running community through his message of determination, endurance and pushing personal limits.
The 2026 edition also marks the first implementation of the Elite system, designed for runners with outstanding achievements. Only 200 places will be available to athletes who meet strict performance criteria within the previous 12 months.
Elite participants will receive a range of dedicated benefits, including a separate check-in area, priority starting positions, post-race recovery facilities and high-performance competition apparel.
Alongside improving sporting standards, organisers said sustainability will remain a central objective through the “green race” model. Waste sorting and collection at hydration stations, together with recycling measures across the event, will be introduced to reduce environmental impact and promote greater environmental awareness within the running community./.
VNA
