The running movement in Nghe An and the need for organized competitions.

Following the "Journey in the Footsteps of Uncle Ho - For National Security" competition in 2026, the need for well-organized, annual events in our homeland has become even more apparent.

From small running groups to the wider community.

Early in the morning in the wards of the former Vinh city, when the streets are still sparsely populated, it's not difficult to spot groups jogging around Ho Chi Minh Square, on inner-city roads, in new urban areas, or along the road leading to Cua Lo.

Some people run alone with a sports watch on their wrist; some groups run while chatting; some start with a few brisk walks and gradually increase to 3 km, 5 km, 10 km. From a personal exercise, running is becoming a positive lifestyle habit for many people in Nghe An.

The appeal of running lies primarily in its simplicity. It doesn't require specialized grounds or elaborate equipment; all you need is a suitable pair of shoes, a safe route, and perseverance to get started.

But what made the movement spread was the community element. When joining a running group, newcomers are guided on how to warm up, manage their energy, increase distance, and prevent injuries; and experienced runners gain companions to maintain training discipline.

In that picture, Nghe An Runners is one of the exemplary clubs. Founded in 2019, starting with a few dozen members, the club has gradually attracted a large number of running enthusiasts from many localities in the province.

Mr. Le Thanh Binh, President of the Nghe An Runners Club, shared that his initial wish was to create a playground for running enthusiasts, where members could exchange knowledge and experience, and spread the spirit of health training.

For many, the club is not only a place for training but also a source of moral support. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai Hien, a member of Nghe An Runners, said that after joining the club, she learned a lot of useful knowledge, especially how to run safely and efficiently; as a result, her long-distance running ability has improved significantly.

Along with Nghe An Runners, Vinh Runners and many other running groups also contribute to the vitality of the movement. Members record their training results using an application, share them on social media, and encourage each other to achieve their goals.

From the first few kilometers to a half marathon or a full marathon, recreational runners always have a new goal to strive for.

Notably, running in Nghe An is not just a hobby for a group of young people. At training sessions and races, you can find officials, civil servants, teachers, businesspeople, students, middle-aged women, and the elderly. Some run to lose weight, some to relieve work stress, and others to regain their fitness after a long period of inactivity.

This diversity helps the running movement broaden its scope, preventing it from being confined to a small group of sports enthusiasts, and gradually transforming it into a community activity.

With a growing community, the need for organized running events in the province is becoming increasingly clear. For amateur runners, a race is not just a competition to determine results. It's also a celebration, a chance to meet new people, a moment of crossing the starting line to cheers, and receiving a medal after months of persistent training. Therefore, each race organized in their hometown has the potential to further motivate the movement.

We need more high-quality playgrounds in our homeland.

In recent years, Nghe An has hosted several notable running events.

In 2023,Marathon "Returning to the Land of Folk Songs and Melodies"It attracted nearly 4,000 athletes, including many familiar faces from the national running community. More than just a sporting event, the race also explores the possibility of incorporating the cultural identity of Nghe An province into the running experience.

When the message "returning to the land of folk songs and melodies" is incorporated into a marathon, athletes not only conquer the distance but also have the opportunity to experience the landscape, people, culture, and hospitality of the local area.

In early 2024, Ky Son also organized an open running event despite many difficulties regarding distance, accommodation infrastructure, and services. Nevertheless, the event still attracted hundreds of athletes from within and outside the province. The steep mountain routes, the majestic scenery of the Mekong Delta, and the highland atmosphere provided a unique experience for the runners.

In the same year, the "Journey to Sen Village" Marathon continued to make an impact by connecting sports with the birthplace of President Ho Chi Minh.

The relevance of the movement became evident in the early days of May 2026, whenAward “Following in the footsteps of Uncle Ho - For the security of the Fatherland”It took place in Nghe An.

On the morning of May 2nd, over 3,000 athletes competed on a course starting from Ho Chi Minh Square in Truong Vinh Ward. This was the second time the event was held in the hometown of President Ho Chi Minh, following the 2025 season which attracted over 2,100 athletes.

With a diverse range of distances, from family-friendly races to 5km, 10km, 21km, and 42km, the tournament creates a vibrant sporting atmosphere during the holidays, while also linking physical training with profound socio-political significance.

Each large-scale running event not only attracts regular runners but also draws in family, friends, and colleagues to cheer them on and participate. When thousands of athletes start simultaneously in the city center, and when streets become sports spaces, the running movement has moved beyond the confines of a group of enthusiasts to become a community event.

However, behind all that enthusiasm lies a gap frequently mentioned by local runners: Nghe An has a large and enthusiastic running community, but lacks a sufficient number of annual races of sufficient caliber to become major events held on home soil.

Some races that once made a mark, such as "Returning to the Land of Folk Songs and Melodies," Ky Son, or "Journey to Lang Sen Village," were only held once and then stopped. Meanwhile, many runners from Nghe An still regularly travel to Hue, Hanoi, Da Nang, or other locations to participate in large-scale marathons.

While waiting for more widely recognized running events, the local running community has proactively created its own opportunities. Clubs like Nghe An Runners and Vinh Runners have organized several amateur races such as the Half Marathon King of Sports and the Vinh Ancient Citadel race. However, to create a bigger impact, Nghe An still needs more professionally organized, branded, and annually held running events.

The potential for running events in Nghe An is still enormous. The province boasts the vibrant city of Vinh, the attractive Cua Lo beach, President Ho Chi Minh's birthplace, the majestic Mekong Delta, the rich folk music heritage, and many unique cultural spaces. If each race is designed with its own story, route, and identity, sports can effectively connect with tourism and local media.

Back then, people came to Nghe An not only to race, but also to experience, stay, sightsee, enjoy the cuisine, and take home beautiful impressions of this land.

Following meaningful running events like "Following in the Footsteps of Uncle Ho - For National Security," it is hoped that Nghe An will have more well-organized, annual running events with a distinct identity and sufficient reach. At that point, the running movement will not only be a temporary craze but could become a lasting and beautiful aspect of mass sports in Nghe An.