“I choose long-distance running instead of focusing on speed,” said Vo Thi Lan Huong.
Excitement builds as preparations get underway for the Dong Nai Marathon – Truong Tuoi Group 2026, Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio & Television Cup, with local runners stepping up their weekly mileage.
More than 230 members of the Binh Phuoc Runners Club now take part in structured training sessions across Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding districts. The squad relies on organized routines and a strong sense of solidarity to keep participants motivated through high-volume training blocks.
“Every day the members train proactively and send photos and data to the group,” Tran Thi Thanh Ha told vietnam.vn as she detailed how the club coordinates its schedules and tracks weekly progress online.
For Huong, a resident of Binh Phuoc ward, the journey to the starting line began over a year ago after hand pain forced her away from badminton. She now covers 10 kilometers per session, running five to six times a week.
“Running has become a voluntary habit, stemming from my desire to take good care of my health,” Huong told vietnam.vn, adding that she wakes up daily at 4:45 a.m. to run from 5:00 a.m. to 6:15 a.m.
Preparing for her first marathon required adjustments beyond her usual flat-road routes. She added hill training to build strength on varied terrain and purchased a new pair of running shoes to handle the heavier workload.
Beyond individual routines, the club meets every Sunday morning outside Hoa Giay cafe on Ho Xuan Huong street, where start times range between 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. depending on the planned distance.
Club leaders guide warm-up drills for children, seniors, and beginners before groups head out onto the roads. Cafe owner Le Tien Huan and his wife open early on Sundays to supply fruit, drinks, and equipment storage for returning runners.
“On Sunday mornings my wife and I usually get up early to go to the market and prepare everything for the club members,” Huan told vietnam.vn.
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