Female barefoot runner wins 42km race at Quang Tri International Marathon.

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - The moment Le Minh Tuan crossed the finish line first in the women's 42km race barefoot at the Quang Tri International Marathon 2025 - Camel Cup impressed many with the willpower of the athlete born in 1984.

Multi- sport events including Aqua Warriors Quang Tri 2025 on August 2 and Quang Tri International Marathon 2025 - Camel Cup on August 3 organized by Dan Tri newspaper and Bolt Event.

Athletes are invited to search for their photos by bib number, many beautiful and unique photos:

Aqua Warriors Quang Tri 2025 : https://aquawarriors.com.vn/awqt2025-photo/

Quang Tri International Marathon 2025 - Camel Cup : https://quangbinhmarathon.com/qtim2025-photo/

After 3 hours, 16 minutes, and 44 seconds, athlete Le Minh Tuan crossed the finish line first in the women's 42km race at the Quang Tri International Marathon 2025 - Camel Cup, which took place on the morning of August 3rd.

"This isn't my best performance in competitions, but it's the best willpower I've ever shown to achieve this title," athlete Le Minh Tuan confided to a reporter from Dan Tri newspaper after she needed medical attention following her celebration and subsequent collapse at the finish line.

Le Minh Tuan had to take off his shoes and run in thin socks for the last 10km to the finish line (Photo: Tien Tuan).

Le Minh Tuan finished with a time of 3 hours 16 minutes and 44 seconds (Photo: Tien Tuan).

At the finish line, Minh Tuan couldn't even take another step, despite having led throughout the grueling 42km race held in the sunny and windy Quang Tri province. The female athlete finished without her starting shoes, wearing only socks, which she quickly removed so that the medical team could treat her blistered, bruised, and bleeding feet.

Minh Tuan shared photos of her feet, which were blistered and bruised from running barefoot for the last 10km (Photo: The Nam).

"I thought I had to give up in the last 10km. I was always leading in the women's race, but with more than 10km to go, I don't know if I made the right or wrong decision to take off my shoes and run barefoot because they were wet."

The course was full of gravel and pebbles, causing blisters on my feet. I didn't get tired, but the injuries to my feet caused me a lot of pain. Twice I had to walk and thought about giving up. However, I was still quite far behind the second-place female runner, so I was determined to finish at all costs. Luckily, a male athlete assisted me along the way, allowing me to reach the finish line as planned.

Winning this race almost brought me to tears of joy and pride, having overcome unexpected difficulties and obstacles along the way. I'm an instinctive runner, listening to my body rather than focusing too much on technique.

"Today, my time of 3 hours and 16 minutes isn't my best, but it represents the best willpower I've ever shown in any race I've participated in," Le Minh Tuan expressed his joy after overcoming unexpected incidents on the race track to win the championship.

Minh Tuan consistently leads in the women's 42km race, and for the first 30km, she still runs in her familiar shoes (Photo: Hai Long).

Le Minh Tuan is a very familiar name in the amateur running community in Vietnam. She is one of only three Vietnamese female amateur runners to achieve a sub-3 (averaging 3 minutes per kilometer), alongside Ha Thi Hau and Chi Nguyen. Le Minh Tuan's best time was 2 hours 58 minutes and 38 seconds at the Hai Phong Marathon at the end of 2023.

In 2024, Le Minh Tuan won the full marathon at the Ha Long Marathon (3 hours 10 minutes 53 seconds), the Longbien Marathon (3 hours 7 minutes 59 seconds), and achieved the best time of the season at the Hanoi Heritage Marathon 2024 (3 hours 4 minutes 33 seconds). Most recently in 2025, Minh Tuan continued his winning streak by winning the full marathon at the Con Son - Kiet Bac Marathon (Hai Phong) in February.

Minh Tuan's joy after winning his second full marathon title in 2025 (Photo: The Nam).

"Each competition brings wonderful experiences and helps me become more confident and strive harder in life. I never thought I could complete a 42km race, running a quarter of it barefoot. This will also be a lesson for me to prepare better. This championship will be the most memorable moment for me in pursuing my passion," athlete Le Minh Tuan concluded.

The Organizing Committee sincerely thanks our partners for their trust and support in the two events: Quang Tri International Marathon 2025 - Camel Cup and Aqua Warriors Quang Tri 2025.

Main Sponsor: Camel Group

Partners: SIV - Sportswear in Vietnam, Vietnam Airlines, TH True Water, Revive, Goya Vietnam, Khang An Sports, Suunto Vietnam, Zocker, Cozy Tea, Chill Cocktail, Long Hai Jelly, Nam Duoc Joint Stock Company - Livecool effervescent tablets, Richy Group, Aice Vietnam, Hung Long Tourism Transport Joint Stock Company, Regal Legend Dong Hoi, VNPT Quang Binh, PVI Insurance Corporation, Ligpro, Kleur Paper Packaging Joint Stock Company, TTH Quang Binh General Hospital and implementation partners Srace, 84race, Sportstats, Actiup, CTP Media.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/nu-vdv-chay-chan-dat-vo-dich-42km-giai-quang-tri-international-marathon-20250803113256554.htm