This is the most important national professional tournament for athletes competing in marathons and long-distance running.
Achievements to assert yourself
"This is the most prestigious tournament in the national competition system. Basically, we know that those who have affirmed their expertise are still athletes predicted to have the ability to win in Quang Tri this year. However, the marathon race requires endurance and appropriate tactics, so even national athletes can lose, so everyone is very careful" - Mr. Nguyen Duc Nguyen - in charge of athletics (Vietnam Department of Physical Education and Sports) - discussed.
Marathons are a very special event, not every locality focuses on investing. People can see that big cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City do not have outstanding marathon faces.
"This year, they continue to have no athletes competing in the marathon event. Therefore, the achievements of each athlete in this tournament are their own affirmation" - Mr. Nguyen Duc Nguyen added.
The marathon - 42km men's category recorded 15 athletes registered to compete while the women's category had 10 athletes.
The Vietnam Athletics Federation once said that athletes who achieve the top position in professional competition in the marathon - 42km for men and women will have a place to participate in the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand.
Last year, the champion of the marathon - 42km for men, Hoang Nguyen Thanh won the marathon - 42km for women, Hoang Thi Ngoc Hoa. They are in Quang Tri at the moment to be ready to compete. In the list of the Vietnam Athletics Team in 2025, Hoang Nguyen Thanh and Hoang Thi Ngoc Hoa have been named to train since January.
However, the opportunity to compete between runners is equal, so if there are athletes (not national athletes) in the marathon - 42km distance this time, they will still have the opportunity to wear the Vietnam Athletics Team jersey.
Vietnam Athletics still wants a new owner
At the 2025 National Marathon and Long Distance Championship of Tien Phong newspaper held in Quang Tri, many young faces have begun to be trusted by the host unit to challenge.
Based on professional registration, the youngest person participating in the marathon - 42km for men is Nguyen Hai Dang (Tay Ninh) - 16 years old. The oldest person to register to participate in the event is former national team player Le Van Tuan (Binh Duong, 41 years old).
With the marathon - 42km women's professional category, runner Trieu Dieu Nhi (Binh Thuan) is the youngest: 17 years old, while the oldest runner is Hoang Thi Ngoc Hoa (Binh Phuoc, 25 years old).
Experts say that marathons are special, so age and experience will determine the athlete's achievements. Vietnam Athletics has witnessed many cases of young athletes who were allowed to compete early in conquering the marathon - 42km distance but were unsuccessful, then had to be exposed to professional skills.
"Finding a new person is not always possible because athletics is a sport that requires time for training and coaching. However, after 66 years of the tournament being formed and developed, the Vietnamese long-distance running and marathon village has discovered many famous athletes. At least at this time, we have Hoang Nguyen Thanh or Nguyen Thi Oanh holding national records for the marathon - 42km - General Secretary of the Vietnam Athletics Federation Nguyen Manh Hung discussed.
At the last 3 SEA Games, the Vietnam Athletics Team won medals in the marathon event. At the 30th SEA Games in the Philippines, we have 1 Bronze Medal (Pham Thi Hong Le); the 31st SEA Games in Vietnam, we have won 1 Gold Medal (Hoang Nguyen Thanh), 1 Bronze Medal (Hoang Thi Ngoc Hoa); the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia, Vietnam Athletics won 1 Silver Medal (Le Thi Tuyet), 1 Bronze Medal (Hoang Nguyen Thanh). Nguyen Thanh, Ngoc Hoa, Le Thi Tuyet and Hong Le were all present in Quang Tri to compete on March 30 and seek opportunities to participate in the 33-2025 SEA Games for themselves.
