My journey to running was unexpected and simple.
In the Vietnamese running community, Le Thu Ha (born in 1991) has a very unique image. She is not on the national team, nor does she belong to any running club. But with her powerful strides and positive spirit, Thu Ha strongly inspires those who train around her.
Thu Ha's journey into running began unexpectedly. At the end of 2023, a friend gifted her a BIB to participate in the Truong Tuoi race in her hometown of Binh Phuoc . Initially planning to run only 5km, after some encouraging words, Thu Ha decided to try the 10km distance. Her fourth-place finish, behind only the elite athletes, surprised her. And from that moment, her passion for running ignited.
“During my school years, I loved running, but the difficult living conditions in a remote area prevented me from training. It wasn't until high school that the school provided opportunities, giving me a chance to try the 800m race at the Phu Dong Sports Festival. I didn't win, but that experience helped me realize that the difference lies not in starting point, but in knowledge and training methods. However, at that time, it was all just a thought,” Thu Ha recalled.
Inspired by Coach Bui Luong
After the Truong Tuoi race, Thu Ha began serious training at the beginning of 2024. At that time, she was still an amateur runner: mostly self-trained, lacking experience, and without a mentor. The turning point came when she met coach Bui Luong, a legend of Vietnamese athletics, who has nurtured countless generations of outstanding athletes. From his dedication and training philosophy, Thu Ha found inspiration and gained access to systematic training methods, opening up a completely new and promising journey.
After just two weeks of training with her coach, Thu Ha decided to test herself at the Ba Ra Mountain race (Binh Phuoc). The results far exceeded expectations: she won first place in the amateur category and made it into the top 10 in the elite category. This achievement served as a powerful morale boost, helping Thu Ha become more confident, expand her network with senior runners, learn valuable experiences, and nurture her desire to conquer even greater challenges.
Interestingly, Coach Bui Luong himself is a legend who has been associated with the Tien Phong Marathon for decades, both as an athlete and a coach. Therefore, even though she has never participated in the race, Thu Ha has always had a special interest in this iconic event. She had previously purchased BIBs for the Tien Phong Marathon 2024 ( Phu Yen ) and 2025 (Quang Tri), but due to her busy schedule, she missed both opportunities.
Upon hearing the news that the Tien Phong Half Marathon was being held in Ho Chi Minh City for the first time, Thu Ha was both surprised and excited. “The race is near Binh Phuoc, making it convenient to travel to, and it's organized by the reputable Tien Phong newspaper and the Vietnam Athletics Federation. All of this made me eager to participate. I immediately registered for a BIB and prepared myself to face this new challenge with a relaxed mindset, enjoying my favorite 21km distance,” Thu Ha shared.
Running is not simply a competition.
For Thu Ha, running has never been just about achievements or competing on the leaderboard. It's a journey of self-discovery, a way for her to listen to her body, nurture her life energy, and maintain mental balance. She understands that she hasn't yet accumulated enough stamina to pursue a full marathon, so she has chosen to "enjoy" the half marathon distance.
In just the past two years, Thu Ha has participated in dozens of running races across the country, from 3km, 10km, 21km to 42km, leaving her mark in every distance. But the distance she is most passionate about is the 21km race, where she boasts such a large "collection" of titles that it's hard to count them all.
However, what's special about Thu Ha is that she doesn't focus on the goal of participating in a certain number of races or winning a certain number of medals each year; she doesn't chase numbers or personal achievements. What she seeks is steady progress, a relaxed mindset, and joy in every step she takes.
Beyond her achievements, Thu Ha is an influential figure in the running community. She maintains a friendly demeanor, readily sharing her experience, supporting newcomers, and spreading her passion for training.
In addition, Thu Ha actively participates in charitable activities, from cutting hair for underprivileged children to supporting those less fortunate. Despite being busy with her business, she always maintains a healthy lifestyle, proving that running not only brings health but also fosters optimism, helping her spread positive values to the community.
"Running helps Ha maintain her health, generate positive energy, and foster an optimistic spirit. Her athletic successes also go hand in hand with success in her business and other social activities," Thu Ha expressed.
Thu Ha's notable achievements over the past two years include: winning the 21km races at the following events: VnExpress Quy Nhon 2024, Midnight VnExpress Da Nang 2024, Truong Tuoi Group 2024, Can Tho Heritage Marathon 2024, District 1 Midnight Ho Chi Minh 2024; GREEN Can Gio 2024, Run To Heart 2024, Truong Tuoi Binh Phuoc 2024, National Cross-Country Championship - Conquering Ba Ra Peak, VPBank VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City Midnight, Bien Hoa Half Marathon 2025,...; Winner of the 42km races at VnExpress Marathon Da Nang 2025, VnExpress Marathon Libera Nha Trang 2025, VnExpress Marathon Can Tho 2025, HDBank Green Marathon 2025, VPBank Dat Sen Hong Music Marathon 2025, Women Run 2025, Marathon Ca Mau 2025, Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon 2025...
Source: https://tienphong.vn/thu-ha-va-nhung-buoc-chay-lan-toa-nang-luong-song-tich-cuc-post1803769.tpo
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