“Conquering Ba Ra Peak” Mountain-Climbing Tournament 2026: Will the “Queen” be dethroned?

As 2025 draws to a close, the opening days of 2026 and the upcoming “Conquering Ba Ra Peak” Mountain-Climbing Tournament are fast approaching. Preparations for the race are being urgently finalized to welcome the annual event.

According to the competition regulations of the 31st National Cross-Country Mountain-Climbing Tournament “Conquering Ba Ra Peak” in 2026, this year’s event includes additional races for mass participation and youth athletes. However, the spotlight, as always, remains on the elite men's and women's events, featuring many familiar and well-known names in Vietnamese athletics.

The 723-meter summit of Ba Ra Mountain, where the 2026 “King” and “Queen of the Mountain Running Competition” titles will be decided. Photo: Phu Quy

According to the official entry list provided by the organizing committee, the women’s elite category comprises six teams with a total of 22 athletes. Most competitors are relatively young, born in 2005 or later, representing Lai Chau, Quang Ngai, the Military team, Ho Chi Minh City, Gia Lai, and the host province, Dong Nai.

Who are the female athletes worth following this season?

Undoubtedly, Pham Thi Hong Le tops the list. The Binh Dinh-born runner, competing for Gia Lai, returns to defend her “Queen of the Mountain Running” title claimed in the 2025 season.

The second is none other than Hoang Thi Ngoc Hoa of the host team Dong Nai, long seen as Pham Thi Hong Le’s closest rival for the “Queen of the Mountain Running” title.

Notably absent from the list of female athletes competing in the 2026 Ba Ra mountain race is Nguyen Thi Oanh, one of Vietnam’s most outstanding distance runners. Oanh recently delivered a remarkable performance with three gold medals at the 33rd SEA Games, bringing her career total to 15 SEA Games golds, a record for individual athletes in the history of the Games. The little girl Nguyen Thi Oanh has also claimed the “Queen of the Mountain Running” title three times, in 2020, 2021, and most recently in 2024. After sitting out the 2025 edition, this marks her second consecutive absence from the Ba Ra Mountain-Climbing Tournament.

Oanh’s absence removes a formidable contender and may be seen as a significant advantage for Hong Le in her title defense.

Among the remaining list of over 20 athletes competing in the women's 5.4km race at the Ba Ra mountain climbing course in early 2026 are other notable names from the Gia Lai, Army, and Ho Chi Minh City teams. Some have prior experience in the Ba Ra course, but based on past performances, they are unlikely to challenge for top positions. Many are younger runners, born in 2005 or later. They are emerging from grassroots competitions, viewed as promising prospects for both local and national athletics. However, on the highly demanding Ba Ra Mountain course, it will be difficult for them to compete with top experienced athletes such as Hong Le and Ngoc Hoa. Young athletes are expected to contribute primarily to their teams’ overall results.

Gia Lai and Ho Chi Minh City appear significantly determined this season, each registering a full roster of five athletes, including several runners currently in strong form with notable results at national and local competitions. Gia Lai, a familiar force on this course, has previously contended for the overall title with the former host Binh Phuoc, and signaled as early as 2025 its readiness to return and “dominate” the mountain track. This spirit also indicates solid tactical backing for Hong Le as she aims to successfully defend her “Queen of the Mountain Running” title once again in the 2026 season.

Advantage for Hong Le?

In terms of individual achievements and experience on the Ba Ra Mountain course, Pham Thi Hong Le from Gia Lai and Hoang Thi Ngoc Hoa from Dong Nai clearly stand out among the women’s elite entrants. Barring any major surprises from remaining athletes, the battle for the 2026 “Queen of the Mountain Running” title is once again expected to come down to Hong Le or Ngoc Hoa, with Hong Le holding the upper hand.

Endurance and iron will helped Pham Thi Hong Le claim the 2025 Ba Ra Mountain Running “Queen” title. Photo: File

Hong Le’s greatest strength lies in her long-distance endurance. Originally from Vietnam’s martial arts heartland, she transitioned to marathon running, which gave her a solid physical foundation and a steely mindset, characterized by steady focus and a willingness to embrace challenges. She also brings extensive experience from both international and national competitions, particularly on the Ba Ra Mountain course.

Over multiple seasons, Pham Thi Hong Le has consistently applied a clear racing strategy: a measured start to regulate heart rate and breathing, followed by a lengthened stride and increased cadence on sustained climbs. She typically chooses to make her move in the second half of the race, when her opponents begin to lose stamina.

With this experience, along with tactical support from her teammates, Hong Le holds a significant advantage, positioning her well to maintain her status as the top female runner in the Ba Ra Mountain-Climbing Tournament in 2026.

Can the “Queen” be dethroned!?

Based on the above assessments, it is unlikely that any surprises will occur in the competition for the "Queen of Mountain Climbing" title from other athletes besides Ngoc Hoa of the host province, Dong Nai.

Will the 2026 “Queen of the Mountain” title belong to the “Steel Rose” Hoang Thi Ngoc Hoa? Photo: File

Hoang Thi Ngoc Hoa, along with "The King of Vietnamese Marathons" - Hoang Nguyen Thanh, are both from Binh Phuoc province and have served as "Ambassadors" for the Ba Ra Mountain-Climbing Tournament for many years. They will continue in that role this season under the Dong Nai team. As such, the Ba Ra course is widely regarded as Ngoc Hoa’s “home track.” Yet, in recent years, she has often finished just short of the crown. Over at least three consecutive seasons (2023, 2024, 2025), she has been edged out by rivals such as Hong Le and Le Thi Tuyet, narrowly missing the top step of the podium.

Ngoc Hoa and Hong Le share many of the same strengths, including endurance, sound tactics, and experience. She also enjoys advantages in speed and familiarity, having trained extensively on the Ba Ra terrain. Her key challenge remains sustaining endurance in the final stages, which has obstructed her in recent editions.

An ideal scenario for Ngoc Hoa to dethrone the "Queen of Mountain Climbing" in 2026 would involve maintaining strong endurance, staying within striking distance of her rival, and carefully managing pace and breathing on the steep stair sections. Conserving energy for a late surge, particularly near the summit, could allow her to capitalize on her speed and potentially outlast her opponent on the final climb.

If this scenario unfolds, a dramatic head-to-head duel between Hong Le and Ngoc Hoa would add significant excitement to the women’s elite race.

Will the 2026 season finally see Hoang Thi Ngoc Hoa claim the “Queen of the Mountain” title in her hometown? The answer promises to be one of the most compelling storylines.

By Le Thao - Translated by Thuy Trang, Minho