Elite runners compete at VnExpress Marathon Nha Trang 2023

After the first season last year attracted 8,500 runners, VnExpress Marathon Marvelous Nha Trang is coming back with many changes.

The full marathon distance received much attention and is expected to have the participation of many champions, former champions, and runners from abroad. The names predicted to be crowned include Trinh Quoc Luong, Dang Anh Quyet (Dan Quyet), Nguyen Van Long, and Hoang Nguyen Thanh.

VnExpress Marathon Nha Trang will mark Luong's return after more than two years. Luong won the VnExpress Marathon Hanoi Midnight 2020 in 2 hours 31 minutes 6 seconds, the best performance among domestic champions in the VnExpress Marathon system.

In 2022 he was absent due to injury treatment and he chose to focus on essential tournaments. After a year of ups and downs, the runner from Bac Giang is actively training to compete for the championship on his return.

Trinh Quoc Luong, the champion at VnExpress Marathon Hanoi Midnight 2020. Photo courtesy of VM

Hoang Nguyen Thanh, the 31st SEA Games marathon champion, is also a potential candidate. In 2022, he won the SEA Games gold medal in 2 hours 25 minutes 7 seconds, one of the best results in Vietnam but only finished third at the SEA Games 32 a year later.

However, the runner still has the strength to compete at the top. In 2023, Thanh has been busy participating in several races, accumulating experience, and maintaining his sharpness.

Hoang Nguyen Thanh (first) runs at at VM Ho Chi Minh City Midnight on February 12, 2023. Photo courtesy of VM

The upcoming VnExpress Marathon Nha Trang also has many other runners aspiring to win. Dan Quyet has participated in all VnExpress Marathons but never finished first. His record is around 2 hours and 45 minutes. In Nha Trang last year, Quyet finished second after Nguyen Quoc Dung.

When Chepkwony from Kenya has confirmed his participation in VnExpress Marathon Nha Trang. Chepkwony achieved a record of 2 hours 19 minutes at the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon 2019 and can win the tournament in Vietnam if he is at the peak of his form and can adapt to the humid weather.

In the women's 42 km event, Shelmith Nyawira Muriuki, VnExpress Marathon Quy Nhon 2023 champion, is the top candidate for the title. Shelmith's achievement of 2 hours 47 minutes, set a month ago, is difficult for any Vietnamese female runner to catch up with.

Female Kenya runner Shelmith Nyawira Muriuki takes first place at VM Quy Nhon 2023.

VnExpress Marathon Marvelous Nha Trang 2023 will become the second prize after VM Ha Long 2022 to reach 11,000 people.

The weather is expected to be cooler at the end of summer.