Culture - Sports

Vietnam Jungle Marathon welcomes runners from around the world

The Vietnam Jungle Marathon (VJM) returns for its seventh edition, welcoming around 1,500 runners from almost 40 nations to the stunning trails of Pu Luong Nature Reserve in Thanh Hoa province on October 19, featuring picturesque 10km to 70km routes.

Runners compete in the Vietnam Jungle Marathon last year. This year, the event will welcome around 1,500 runners from almost 40 nations. (Photos courtesy of the organising board)
Runners compete in the Vietnam Jungle Marathon last year. This year, the event will welcome around 1,500 runners from almost 40 nations. (Photos courtesy of the organising board)

Thanh Hoa (VNS/VNA) — The Vietnam Jungle Marathon (VJM) returns for its seventh edition, welcoming around 1,500 runners from almost 40 nations to the stunning trails of Pu Luong Nature Reserve in Thanh Hoa province on October 19, featuring picturesque 10km to 70km routes.

Renowned for its pristine landscapes, the VJM showcases limestone mountains, cascading waterfalls and charming traditional villages adorned with water wheels. Trail runners will traverse the Doi Troi mountain peak, journey through Hieu village and reach Kho Muong village, culminating in the ethnic Thai community of Hang village. Here, the organiser, Topas, has collaborated with locals to create an international race village, offering homestays for hundreds of the 1,500 international runners expected to attend.

New for this year, the route team has introduced an improved final section, bringing runners into the village across a purpose-built bridge, ideal for a final beautiful photo before the finish.

Some other small adjustments have been made, for example a new section in the Hieu village area, allowing runners to bypass recent concrete developments, guiding them deeper into the jungle and providing breathtaking views of the majestic mountains.

Race Director, David Lloyd said: “My first research trip here was back in 2016. I can remember being amazed by this area and surprised so few visited, or even knew about Pù Luông back then. After more than 30 trips here, both for VJM work and for many family holidays, I am still blown away by the nature every time. A lot of our past runners feel the same way, making VJM the favourite Topas race of many.

“We look forward to sharing the beauty of Pu Lupng with runners from Vietnam and around the world. For the opportunity to do so, we are indebted to Thanh Hoa province and the two districts of Quan Hoa and Ba Thuoc. We thank all those from across the area who worked with us to create this race”./.

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