8th edition of Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon affirms its iconic position

Runners at the Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon pose for a photo at the finish line with medals. Photo courtesy of the Organizing Committee

The closing and awards ceremony welcomed representatives of Ho Chi Minh City's leadership and the event's governing authorities, including Nguyen Van Dung, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee; Pham Huy Binh, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism; and Nguyen Trung Hinh, Vice President of the Vietnam Athletics Federation and Vice President–Secretary General of the Ho Chi Minh City Athletics Federation. Representatives from municipal departments, partners, sponsors, guests, and athletes were also in attendance.

This year's race featured notable performances from both domestic and international runners.

Vietnamese athlete Pham Thi Hong Le secured the women's marathon title with a strong showing.

In the men's half-marathon, one of the race's most dramatic moments occurred at the finish line, where Duong Minh Hung and Pham Ngoc Phan finished less than one second apart, with Hung clocking 1:09:25.

Participation among younger runners also increased, particularly in the 5 km and 10 km events, underscoring the marathon's expanding reach and influence within the community.

Top 5 male athletes in the Marathon Age Group Overall category. Photo courtesy of the Organizing Committee

The 2025 edition further reflected the advancement of Vietnam's marathon movement. Competitive standards continued to rise, with elite runners competing alongside a growing generation of new talent. The increasing number of running clubs and training groups adopting this marathon as their flagship annual race contributed to higher levels of preparation and stronger overall performance.

In the men's full marathon (42.195 km), competition intensified in the final kilometers. Ayalew Seleshi Simaneh of Ethiopia captured the championship title with a finishing time of 2:23:13, followed by compatriot Wondale Melsew Baye in second place. Kebede Leta Girma secured third with 2:23:25, while Damte Wendwesen Tilahun placed fourth at 2:23:54. Hosea Kogei of Kenya rounded out the Top 5, finishing in 2:24:34.

In the women's full marathon, Vietnam's Le claimed first place with a time of 2:48:10. Ethiopian runners Mohamed Yenework Husen, Birehan Marta Tinsae, and Zega Mestu Sirabzu took the next three positions, with Vietnam's Doan Oanh placing fifth. The competitive results of the Vietnamese athletes against an international field underscored the continued development and potential of domestic long-distance running.

Top 5 female athletes in the Marathon Age Group Overall category. Photo courtesy of the Organizing Committee

The marathon concluded with 108 athletes, community running clubs, and corporate teams recognized for their achievements in various overall and age-group categories.

The 8th edition reaffirmed the influence of a large-scale community sporting event implemented to international standards. Its success was made possible through collaboration among Ho Chi Minh City authorities, title sponsor Techcombank, organizer Sunrise Events Vietnam, and supporting partners. These combined efforts continue to build a foundation for the marathon to enhance its quality, broaden its scale, strengthen its regional standing, and contribute positively to the community.

Xtep, a partner in the event, has more than 30 years of history in China and has been listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since 2008. The company has grown into a multi-brand sportswear group with retail networks across several markets, including China, Hong Kong, India, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine.

Recognized for its youthful and dynamic sports fashion identity, Xtep aims to offer diverse product experiences to consumers. In Vietnam, the brand currently operates 16 showrooms in major cities and commercial centers, including Ha Noi, Quang Ninh, Hoa Binh, Viet Tri, Cam Pha, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.