Each running session caters to different pace levels, ensuring that both seasoned and novice runners find a suitable group. Photo Chay365

By Thanh Nga

Every Saturday morning, the vibrant sound of running shoes fills the air around Hoàn Kiếm Lake in downtown Hà Nội.

As the clock strikes 5am, a group of dedicated runners kick off their race. The previous night's rain has cooled the hot atmosphere, making each step feel lighter and more graceful.

Filled with excitement, strength, and a burning desire, these runners take on the challenge of conquering new milestones.

Running every Saturday around Hoàn Kiếm Lake is a joy for runners. — Photo Chay365

The capital's runners embark on their journey along familiar roads, their footsteps echoing with determination. A typical weekend long run covers a distance of 20-35km, depending on upcoming competitions, training phases, and goals. The speed is tailored to each runner's objectives for the upcoming tournaments.

Hoàn Kiếm Lake has become a magnet for runners from numerous groups in the city, including the Long Distance Runners, Thống Nhất Park Runners, Thành Công Runners, and Thanh Hà Runners. One of the key attractions is the Chay365 club's systematic running training model, which takes place every Saturday morning. This model has earned a reputation for its well-organised approach, drawing in 200-400 runners per session.

Chay365's weekend long run attracts about 200-400 runners per session. Photo Chay365

Dr Đinh Huỳnh Linh, founder of Chay365, finds long runs to be the most important workout to prepare for a marathon. So, he wanted to organise a long run for the running community, which is how Chay365’s long run was born.

"The long run on Saturday mornings organised by the Chay365 club is a non-profit activity funded by its members. I chose Hoàn Kiếm Lake as the place to organise the run because it is convenient for runners in inner Hà Nội as well as in the neighbourhoods to attend,” Linh told Việt Nam News.

“My aim is to showcase the beauty of Hà Nội, so that every visitor who wants to go for a run can simply head to Hoàn Kiếm Lake, just like consulting a place on TripAdvisor or Lonely Planet. It's also a magnificent way to experience Hà Nội every morning.”

Every Saturday morning, the vibrant sound of running shoes fills the air around Hoàn Kiếm Lake in Hà Nội. — Photo Chay365

Linh further emphasised the club's goal of developing the running movement, not only in terms of quantity but also in quality.

The Chay365 club has consistently organised the long runs even before the COVID-19 pandemic. What sets these "long run" sessions apart is the provision of free water and electrolyte drinks for the runners, pacers, and photo opportunities.

Experienced pacers from the 84Race Club are available to guide and maintain a steady pace for those who wish to follow. The pacers, with their extensive experience in domestic running events like the Hạ Long Marathon and the VNExpress Marathon, wear distinctive uniforms and bibs corresponding to the speed they run.

Each running session caters to different pace levels, ensuring that both seasoned and novice runners find a suitable group. The presence of these pacers has significantly improved the overall fitness of Hà Nội runners.

"In the past, I used to run alone, which made it easier for me to compromise and not push myself too hard. Running can be a solitary and monotonous sport, but since joining Chay365's weekend runs with the 84Race pacers, it has become incredibly fascinating," Nguyễn Thu Trang, a participant, said.

"I never feel lost because there are always groups of pacers to follow. If I happen to fall behind, there's another group to latch onto. Everyone cheers and supports one another, and before you know it, a half-marathon is completed."

Running every Saturday around Hoàn Kiếm Lake is a magnificent way to experience Hà Nội every morning. Photo Chay365

A marathon movement

According to Linh, Chay365 aims to have 1,000 people meeting the BQ (Boston Qualifying) standard, which is the standard to attend the Boston Marathon - one of the six most prestigious World Marathon Majors - and beyond that is the goal of 1,000 SUB3 (under three hours) runners.

To achieve these goals, alongside the regular weekend long-distance running sessions led by the professional pace team from 84Race, Chay365 also provides training programmes that follow scientific and practical lesson plans tailored to the conditions in Việt Nam. They also organise online lectures on nutrition, injury prevention, and the health risks associated with long-distance running.

Runners are ready to conquer new milestones. Photo Chay365

The running movement in Việt Nam has been rapidly growing, as evidenced by the significant number of registrations for the Tiền Phong Marathon 2024, with over 12,000 participants.

By implementing systematic training methods and suitable lesson plans that consider Việt Nam's unique circumstances, newcomers can minimise unnecessary injuries, improve their performance, and sustain their running journey in the long term.

As the quality of athletes improves, the Việt Nam Athletics Federation will have a broader pool of talent to choose from in the marathon and long-distance categories. Many individuals have experienced personal breakthroughs and achieved their personal records (PR) thanks to the weekly Saturday Long Run organised by Chay365.

Runners are provided with free water and electrolyte drinks. Photo Chay365

One such runner, Trần Thái Hoà, a regular participant in Chay365's Saturday morning runs, achieved his PR in the full marathon category with an impressive time of 3:16:33. He is currently striving to break the SUB3 mark, completing a marathon in under three hours.

“I've known about Chay365's Saturday morning long run since June 2023 and since then, I've hardly missed a session, except when I'm away from Hà Nội on business. I enjoy the festive atmosphere at Hoàn Kiếm Lake every Saturday morning, the support from fellow runners at the water stations, the rhythmic sound of runners' footsteps, and the remarkable photos captured by photographers,” Hòa said.

“I always consider the Saturday long run as a mini-race. Before every Saturday morning run, I usually prepare a day in advance to eat nutritious food, get enough sleep, and have a beautiful outfit to go to the lake to take interesting photos.

“To participate in a marathon event, I always use the Saturday morning run as a warm-up session for the race. I really like the way Chay365 runs events, showing me the professionalism, sportsmanship and, especially, the interaction with other people who share the same passion for running.”

Through dedication and well-organised events, Chay365 continues to inspire and propel the running movement in the country, fostering a community of runners who strive for personal excellence and support one another along the way. VNS