A vibrant running movement

In recent years, the physical training and sports movement, particularly running, has become increasingly widespread across Dong Nai, from rural and mountainous areas to urban centers. For many people, each running stride is a way to improve their health, connect with the community, and push their own limits.

The 2026 Dong Nai Marathon – Truong Tuoi Group Tournament, Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television (DNNRTV) Cup, is becoming a driving force behind the increasingly vibrant running movement.

Members of the Ba Ra Trail Phuoc Long Club train on the steep trails of Ba Ra Mountain.

Persistent daily training

At 5:00 a.m every Saturday and Sunday, while many people are still fast asleep, members of the Ba Ra Trail Phuoc Long Club are already at Ba Ra Mountain in Phuoc Long Ward to begin their training session. Together, they ran along steep paths and climbed more than 1,700 steps to reach the mountain peak. Their footsteps follow one another, creating an energetic atmosphere amid the peaceful morning scenery.

The terrain of Ba Ra Mountain provides ideal conditions for club members to build endurance and strengthen their physical fitness on steep trails. Under the guidance of club chairman Le Thanh Than, members have consistently maintained an effective training routine. Although they differ in age and occupation, they share a passion for running and climbing, along with a desire to conquer new challenges.

Vo Thi Quynh Anh, a member of the Ba Ra Trail Phuoc Long Club, is currently a civil servant in Phuoc Binh Ward. Despite her busy work and family life, she manages her responsibilities to maintain her passion for sports.

Looking ahead to the 2026 Dong Nai Marathon - Truong Tuoi Group Tournament, DNNRTV Cup, Quynh Anh has registered for the 21 km distance. To prepare for the race, in addition to group training sessions on weekends, she has developed her own training plan, maintaining about one hour of exercise every day, either early in the morning or in the evening after work. "Participating in the race is an opportunity to build physical fitness, challenge myself, and, at the same time, exchange ideas, learn, and spread a positive sporting spirit throughout the community," said Quynh Anh.

From Phuoc Binh Ward, Pham Duc Quan is also a member of the Ba Ra Trail Phuoc Long Club and regularly participates in club activities and trains with his teammates. "I work in business, so I proactively manage my time to train regularly and actively join my teammates in marathons of various distances. For this race, many of us have chosen the 10 km distance to experience the course together and spread the spirit of sports throughout the community," said Quan.

The Ba Ra Trail Phuoc Long Club has participated in Truong Tuoi Marathon tournaments in previous years. For the 2026 Dong Nai Marathon - Truong Tuoi Group Tournament, DNNRTV Cup, the club registered its members early to ensure full participation. The fact that the tournament is being held in their hometown has further heightened their excitement, as everyone hopes to contribute their footsteps along familiar roads while also introducing the local tourism potential and beauty to friends and visitors from near and far.

Connecting the community

According to Le Thanh Than, chairman of the Ba Ra Trail Phuoc Long Club, the club currently has about 30 members, ranging in age from 20 to 60. They have different occupations, including civil servants, public employees, teachers, businesspeople, and self-employed traders, but they all share a love of running and mountain climbing.

To accommodate their daily schedules, the club maintains a flexible training schedule throughout the week. Members typically gather at Ba Ra Mountain on Saturdays and Sundays to hike and build endurance. On other days, they run independently on streets in the central areas of Phuoc Long and Phuoc Binh wards. This arrangement has helped members maintain a regular and consistent training routine while still allowing them to meet their work commitments and care for their families.

"The weekend training sessions are also an opportunity for members to meet, share stories about work and life, and encourage one another during difficult times. A love for sports thus becomes a bond connecting people with common interests, contributing to building a healthy lifestyle in the community," said Than.

Than believes that this year's tournament has been expanded in scale and is expected to attract a larger number of athletes, creating more opportunities for amateur runners to interact, gain experience, and test themselves against others. This also motivates club members to set new goals and strive for breakthroughs in both training and competition. "For us, sports are not just about winning, losing, or achieving results. The important thing is to overcome oneself, stay healthy, and spread positive values throughout the community together. The message the club wants to convey through this race is: “Every running step is part of a green, clean and pink journey”. Green means spreading a love of nature; clean means joining hands to protect the landscape and environment; and pink means connecting, sharing and spreading compassion throughout the community,” said Than.

By An Nhon – Translated by Minh Hong, Minho