Da Nang marathon surge
Nearly 9,000 runners took part in the Da Nang International Marathon on March 20, making it one of Vietnam’s largest international running events in 2026. The turnout underscores how marathon season is expanding across Asia this spring. (en.vietnamplus.vn)
The 13th edition opened at East Sea (Bien Dong) Park on March 20 and ran as a three-day festival from March 20–22. (danangfantasticity.com) The race was organised by Pulse Active under the direction of the Da Nang People’s Committee and the city’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, with an Expo for bib pickup held across March 20–21. (danangfantasticity.com) Organisers reported about 3,200 international entrants representing roughly 75 countries and territories, with large contingents from South Korea, Japan, the Philippines and Malaysia. (danangfantasticity.com) Entry numbers showed roughly a 20% increase over 2025 and an 18% rise in international sign-ups, and organisers said they aim to grow international participation 15–25% annually to surpass 5,000 foreign runners by 2028. (tuoitre.vn) The elite field comprised nearly 80 professional athletes; organisers named Phạm Thị Bình as a repeat champion and listed domestic competitors Thái Thị Kim Ngân, Nguyễn Thị Trà Giang and Triệu Thị Bình alongside internationals such as Saito Takuya, Ritsuro Adachi and Richard Pfaller. (tuoitre.vn) Race day for the main distances was March 22, with courses starting and finishing at Bien Dong Park and routing past local landmarks including Dragon Bridge, Tran Thi Ly and Thuan Phuoc bridges and the Cham Sculpture Museum. (rundanang.com) A children’s “Ronny Dash” (500m and 1.5km) was staged on March 21 as part of the event’s community outreach, and organisers promoted the race as a “race-cation” to link sport with Da Nang tourism. (tuoitre.vn)
