Runners gear up for Dong Nai Marathon 2026

With just over a month to go before the 2026 Dong Nai Marathon – Truong Tuoi Group, Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television Cup, running clubs and runners in Dong Nai City and neighboring localities are stepping up their training, preparing to take on the race routes and join the sporting festival.

Members of the No Beer No Run Club at the second Binh Phuoc Marathon – Truong Tuoi Group in 2024.

Spreading the passion for running

For running communities such as the No Beer No Run Club, preparing for this year's Dong Nai Marathon is about more than achieving individual goals. It is also an opportunity for members to spread their love of running and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Thai Tuan Anh, the club's president, said the No Beer No Run community originated as a small group of members from the small and medium-sized business community in the former Bien Hoa City area. It began meeting in October 2019. Initially, members took up running mainly to maintain their health after busy working days. Their shared passion gradually transformed the group into a wider-reaching community, connecting running enthusiasts from localities across the country.

To keep the club active, members organize training sessions in their respective residential areas and exchange advice and support on training methods through online chat groups. At weekends, a route in Amata Industrial Park in Long Binh Ward is used for long runs, giving members more opportunities to meet, train together and share their experience.

“On major national holidays and during the traditional Lunar New Year, the No Beer No Run community also organizes large-scale running events, attracting hundreds of members and running groups from both inside and outside the city. These activities strengthen bonds among members, help them stay motivated and make running more accessible to the wider community,” Tuan Anh said.

Beyond sporting activities, the club also provides logistical support for running events, including the Bien Hoa Open Half Marathon. Several members, including Nguyen Duc Toan, Bui Kim Ngan and Nguyen Thi Tram, have regularly achieved strong results in races. This reflects the club's growing running movement in both participation and performance.

For the 2026 Dong Nai Marathon – Truong Tuoi Group, dozens of club members have registered for various distances. The 21km and 42km races are particularly popular among those looking to challenge themselves. In preparation, each member develops a training plan suited to their fitness level and personal goals. Some focus on improving endurance, others on speed, while some concentrate on pacing themselves to complete longer distances. Exchanging experience and encouraging one another throughout training also helps runners prepare more effectively for race day.

Nguyen Thi Tram, from Ho Chi Minh City, during a 42km run.

Pushing personal limits

Alongside running clubs, many runners in Dong Nai and neighboring localities are preparing for the event with individual training plans tailored to their work schedules and performance goals. Nguyen Thi Tram, 37, from Ho Chi Minh City, works in the banking sector and began running in 2023. What started as an effort to improve her health gradually became a lasting passion and an important part of her life. Tram's personal best in the 21km half-marathon is one hour and 36 minutes, while her best time for the full 42km marathon is three hours and 24 minutes. Her 3:24 finish at the 2026 HDBank Green Marathon was a particularly memorable achievement, reflecting her sustained commitment to disciplined training.

Tram has registered for the 21km race at this year's Dong Nai Marathon – Truong Tuoi Group. In preparation, she maintains a routine that includes easy runs, long-distance runs and workouts to improve endurance and speed. She also pays attention to sleep, nutrition and recovery to help her body adapt to the demands of training. For Tram, the goal is not simply to improve her personal record, but also to finish safely, pace herself sensibly and enjoy the sporting atmosphere. Each race offers an opportunity to meet fellow running enthusiasts, explore new routes and continue improving herself.

Sharing the same spirit, Le Dong Minh, 39, who lives and works in Long Hung Ward, Dong Nai City, regards running as a habit that helps him maintain his health and achieve a better work-life balance. He began training in 2022 and has since noticed improvements in his physical fitness, a more relaxed state of mind and greater energy for his daily work.

At this year's Dong Nai Marathon – Truong Tuoi Group, Minh has registered for the 42km race with the aim of running alongside and pacing a teammate. For him, taking on the marathon distance with a friend is a meaningful experience, as they can motivate each other through difficult moments, overcome challenges together and achieve the best possible results.

To prepare, Minh has maintained a schedule of four to five runs per week, combining easy runs with long-distance sessions suited to his fitness level. He has also arranged joint training sessions with his teammate to agree on their pace, hydration strategy and energy intake during the race. In addition to training, Minh has adjusted his daily routine, avoided staying up late, ensured adequate rest and gradually reduced his training volume ahead of the event. He has also maintained a balanced diet based on familiar, nutritious foods.

By An Nhon – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho