A runner competing in the Việt Nam Trail Marathon last year. On Saturday, Mộc Châu Town will welcome thousands of runners to race up to 70km. — Photo courtesy of the oỏganisers

MỘC CHÂU — On Saturday, Mộc Châu Town will host the Việt Nam Trail Marathon (VTM), a series of races through minority villages, orchards, and tea fields, with thousands of runners expected to participate. In addition to the excitement of the race, thousands of dollars will also be donated to charity.

Established in 2019, the VTM has grown to become one of the largest mountain runs in the nation. Since it began, the race has brought more than 13,000 runners to experience the warm hospitality and stunning scenery of Mộc Châu Town, Mộc Châu District, Sơn La Province.

This year, the race returns to its traditional pre-Tết time slot, giving 3,500 runners a chance to end their Lunar New Year with a challenge before focusing on their Tết build-up and celebrations.

Famous runners at this year’s event include actor Nhan Phúc Vinh, running 70km, and 42km runner, Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhã, the first Vietnamese woman to climb Everest. Not only will she run, but she will also be giving an inspirational talk to the 50 kids from the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation that the race organiser sponsored to join the race.  

The VTM has grown to become one of the largest mountain runs in the nation. — Photo courtesy of the organiser

The race features a lot of Vietnamese talent. Males to watch include multiple podium runners Quang Trần, Quang Nguyễn, Nguyễn Đức Tuấn Anh, Trịnh Nam Hải, Nguyễn Tiến Hùng and Nguyễn Sĩ Hiếu.

Top females include Lê Phương Vy, who finished second in the 160km category of the Việt Nam Mountain Marathon 2022, Việt Nam Jungle Marathon (VJM) champion Phạm Chi Mai and Vũ Thị Lan Hương, the runner-up at the VTM and VJM last year.

The Việt Nam Trail Series has raised around US$390,000 (VNĐ9.2 billion) for good causes. The money raised at this year’s race will be used for development projects at Mộc Châu hospitals, alongside improving the houses of impoverished families in the area. VNS

A runner with children at the Việt Nam Trail Marathon last year. — Photo courtesy of the organiser