Filipino Marlon was the first foreign runner to finish the 21-km race Sunday morning. He was in the top three of the race for runners under 30.
"I feel [excited about] my first run in the city. I'm very happy," he said, posing with his country's national flag at the finish line.
Marlon joined the marathon event, held in the beach town of Nha Trang in central Vietnam, with two of his fellow countrymen.
All three came to Vietnam to participate in the race on the suggestion of local man Ngoan (2nd, R).
"I used to run with them at a marathon event in the Philippines. They are all good runners so I suggested they join this event," said Ngoan.
South African Mauritz currently lives and works in Ho Chi Minh City. He is a member of the Phu My Hung Runners Club in District 7.
For him, running the VM Marathon Nha Trang's 10-km stretch at the Luong Son Pass was "really tough" and "challenging."
"This was actually the best run I've ever been to. [I am] a social runner. But I think I can compete with the pro athletes if I put my mind to it."
Alex of the U.K. has lived in Vietnam for five years. This is the third time she was joining a VnExpress Marathon.
"[The running course] was really good. [It's] a bit hilly, but it's ok," she said, after finishing the event's 21-km race as a top five female runner in the 40-49 age group.
Alex said she will practice more so that she can run faster in the next race.
Frenchman Pierre joined the race with his 11-year-old daughter, Liz, the father running the 21-km race and the daughter taking the 5-km challenge.
"The weather was very good, the run was really nice. It was also very well organized," he said.
Americans Chrissie and Chris (first and second left) arrived in Vietnam two months ago. It was the first time they were taking part in a marathon race in the country. They joined Japanese Hiro (R) to run the 21-km race.
"You need to take smaller steps to move past the sloping section," Chris said.
Hiro said the VM Nha Trang brought him many surprises.
"The 2km-section down the slope was quite difficult for me. I thought the race would be steady as this is a beach town. The pass is such as surprise, but a nice one," he said, adding that he has already registered for the next VM event, the VM Hanoi Midnight that will take place on Nov. 26.
VM Nha Trang attracted 8,500 runners.
