Tien Phong Half Marathon: A new boost for the Vietnamese running movement

TPO - The Tien Phong Half Marathon was established at a time when the running movement in Vietnam was developing strongly. Mr. Nguyen Trung Hinh - Vice President of the Vietnam Athletics Federation, Vice President and General Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Athletics Federation, and Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee in charge of refereeing, believes that not only does it inherit the prestige of the Tien Phong Marathon, but it also opens up a new standard of organization, contributing to spreading the spirit of modern sports and promoting mass sports nationwide.

Báo Tiền Phong•10/12/2025

Mr. Nguyen Trung Hinh - Vice President of Vietnam Athletics Federation, Vice President and General Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City Athletics Federation.

Sir, in recent years, the running movement in Vietnam has developed strongly. In your opinion, what has caused this boom?

I believe there are three main factors. First, running is the simplest sport ; anyone can start with just a pair of shoes, so its reach within the community is enormous. Second, Vietnamese people, especially young people, are increasingly concerned about health and a healthy lifestyle, considering exercise as an integral part of life. And finally, the increasing professionalism of major running events has created strong motivation and an environment for people to train more systematically. As their health improves and their performance rises, they will commit to the sport in the long term.

In this context, what role does the Tien Phong Half Marathon play in the national running movement?

In the context of the booming running movement, the launch of the Tien Phong Half Marathon holds special significance. The running community is familiar with the Tien Phong Marathon, one of Vietnam's first, oldest, and most prestigious sporting events. Organized by the Tien Phong newspaper since 1958 and continuously held to this day, the race is not only a measure of the abilities of professional athletes but also a particularly meaningful platform for the amateur running community.

With the new edition being held in Ho Chi Minh City, where the running movement is thriving, we highly appreciate this step forward. The Tien Phong Half Marathon is suitable for the majority of runners who want to challenge themselves but are not yet ready to conquer a marathon. Therefore, the movement is "nurtured" from the ground up, creating a path from easy to difficult, helping runners become involved and gradually grow with each step of their own progress.

Many athletes say that the Tien Phong Newspaper Cup has its own unique "quality." What is your assessment of this?

The running community trusts the Tien Phong race because it consistently leads in promotion, mobilization, and especially in organizing safe and standardized events. Participants are diverse, spanning all ages and professions, yet the event maintains its discipline and distinctive culture.

That "quality" comes from the reputation built over decades. From measuring the race course according to international standards and ensuring medical safety, to the seriousness in judging results, every step is carried out with utmost care.

The Tien Phong Marathon, and now the Tien Phong Half Marathon, are rare events that bring together a full complement of national team athletes, something not every amateur race can achieve. Thanks to this competitive spirit, amateur athletes have a rare opportunity to run on the same course as professional athletes, thereby being strongly inspired and motivated to improve themselves.

According to him, what is the significance of the Tien Phong Half Marathon in promoting mass sports, especially in Ho Chi Minh City?

The running movement is no longer just about physical training; it has become a true socio-cultural activity. People run together, families run together, and localities are building entire ecosystems for running enthusiasts. In this context, the Tien Phong Half Marathon was created and plays a pivotal role in connecting and bringing together these positive values.

The competition creates a strong wave of physical activity, encouraging people to improve their health and guiding the community towards a healthy, beautiful, and modern lifestyle. In Ho Chi Minh City, where the pace of life is dynamic and the spirit of sports is thriving, the emergence of the competition is even more significant as it contributes to promoting mass sports in a systematic and sustainable way.

Thank you!