Running race in Quang Tri supports distance change for athletes after feedback

Recognizing the spirit of community contribution

On January 13, representatives of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Tri province said that after Lao Dong Newspaper's reflection on athletes' concerns related to the regulation prohibiting the use of a walking stick for distances of 50km and 70km at the Phong Nha Wild Trail Race, the Department has worked with Phong Nha Wild Joint Stock Company to clarify the reflected content.

After the working session, the organizing unit of the tournament adjusted the implementation plan, and at the same time sent official emails to athletes registering for distances of 50km and 70km, specifically notifying the regulations on using sticks as well as the policy of supporting distance changes and refunding difference fees.

In an email sent to athletes, the Organizing Committee of the Phong Nha Wild Trail Running Tournament said that it had received many feedbacks after the announcement not to allow the use of sticks in 2 long distances. The Organizing Committee acknowledged the community's contribution and clearly explained the reasons for this decision.

According to the Organizing Committee, the environment of the core area of Phong Nha - Ke Bang heritage, where the race track of 2 distances of 50km/70km passes through, has a very specific terrain nature, so after many surveys, the Organizing Committee and international advisors decided not to allow the use of sticks at these 2 distances to ensure safety for athletes when running on technical terrain, with cat ear rocks, narrow roads and climbing cliffs, as well as to protect the ecosystem of the world natural heritage.

This information was officially announced by the Organizing Committee on the tournament's fanpage on January 4, 2026, along with a recommendation that athletes use gloves to support clinging to the rock and protect their hands when competing in technical sections.

Refund

In case athletes find that the no-stick rule may affect tactics and personal achievements in the 50km and 70km distances, the Organizing Committee will support switching to other distances according to their wishes and refund the difference between the 2 distances.

The Organizing Committee said it will support distance conversion for athletes who have registered for 50km and 70km in the period from November 22, 2025 to January 4, 2026.

Accordingly, athletes who need to switch to a shorter distance will be exempt from distance change fees; refund the difference when switching to a lower distance, the refund cost is calculated according to the BIB price at the time of payment.

For the case of buying group tickets, the difference refund will be calculated based on the preferential price policy for groups at the time of payment.

The time to receive requests for distance changes is set by the Organizing Committee within 7 days, from 12:00 on January 8, 2026 to 11:59 on January 15, 2026. Applications sent after this deadline will not be received. Support only applies to 2 distances of 50km and 70km registered during the above time, other distances are implemented according to the tournament regulations.

On the same day, 1 athlete who registered for the race said that he had received an email from the Organizing Committee and would respond if there was a problem.

Previously, as Lao Dong Newspaper reported, many athletes who registered to participate in the Phong Nha Wild Trail Race held at the end of May 2026 expressed concern when the Organizing Committee suddenly announced a ban on using a walking stick in 2 long distances: Hung Thoong 70km and Thuy Cung 50km.

According to the athletes, at the time of ticket sales, the tournament regulations did not clearly stipulate the ban on using clubs. Changing an important factor after the athlete has completed registration and payment has put many people in a passive position, having to adjust the entire training plan and competition tactics.

Some athletes believe that for long trail distances and high technical terrain, the treadmill is a familiar support tool, especially in steep and downhill sections. The change of regulations, although aimed at conservation and safety, still needs to be accompanied by plans to ensure the rights of participants, such as support for distance changes or appropriate fee refunds.