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| Nguyen Thi Ngot's endurance strides at the Vietnam Mountain Marathon 2024 |
Famed for overnight runs
Nguyen Thi Ngot, a 30-year-old pharmacist with six years of running experience, has relentlessly reached new milestones in her pursuit of long-distance running.
Rising to fame in 2021 after completing a 100km overnight run in 11 hours, 55 minutes, and 19 seconds, Nguyen Thi Ngot secured her place among the select few in Vietnam capable of running 100km in under 12 hours. Four years later, just before the 2025 Lunar New Year of Snake, she made headlines once again by covering 181km in 24 hours. More significantly, her run helped raise substantial donations for a tree-planting fund benefiting several schools in Hue.
“I started running on January 18 and finished 24 hours later. Repeating the Truong Tien – Da Vien – Dai Noi route became exhausting, and at the 60km mark, I almost stopped. However, thanks to the support and encouragement from my fellow runners, I pushed through the remaining two-thirds of the race. This was a run of willpower, fueled by an ‘unexpected energy’,” Ngot shared. That "unexpected energy" likely stemmed from the lessons she learned after her setback at the Vietnam Mountain Marathon in Sa Pa just a month earlier.
In December 2024, Nguyen Thi Ngot registered for the 100-mile race at the Vietnam Mountain Marathon, the most prestigious trail running event in Vietnam. “Had the race not been postponed from September to December due to Typhoon No. 3, things might have been different. The weather in Sa Pa during December was too freezing to adapt to, forcing me to withdraw after completing two-thirds of the distance. I’ll be back to conquer the remaining third next time,” she added. "My failure in the 100-mile race also resulted from inadequate physical and mental preparation for the unfamiliar terrain and harsh weather conditions in Sa Pa."
"At the very moment I stopped, countless solutions formed in my mind for tackling the upcoming ultra distances. The game has only just begun. If we give up, there will be no future success." Ngot's next achievement came just a month later when she completed 181km in 24 hours on the route of Hue ancient capital.
Allure of Ultra Marathon distances
"This year, I will focus on mountain Ultra Marathon distances. First, I’ll take on the 70km race at the Dalat Ultra Trail in late March. Then, in October, I’ll run the 50km race in Mu Cang Chai as a stepping stone toward the 187km challenge at the Prenn Trail Summit (Lam Dong) in November," shared the runner nicknamed “Miss Sweet” as she revealed her 2025 goals.
Ultra Marathon distances (over 42km) have sparked a new passion for the petite runner from Vinh Hien (Phu Loc). The challenge of mountain racing fills Ngot with excitement. The peaceful surroundings, fresh air, and breathtaking landscapes only strengthen her determination to conquer the ultra marathon distances.
"In Hue, Ngot trains for trail running in the Hon Vuon mountain area. Every early morning on the last two days of the week, she rides her motorbike to Huyen Khong Son Thuong (Peak of the Mysterious Sky Mountain) Pagoda, bringing food to sustain her throughout the day. She runs up and down the 4km route from the base to the peak of Hon Vuon, repeating the loop dozens of times until nightfall before returning to the city. The monks at the pagoda and the locals around the Huyen Khong Son Thuong area become very familiar with the sight of a petite girl running on the mountain every weekend.
Considering the efforts of “Miss Sweet” and her decision to leave behind the potential awards from 42km road races to pursue new challenges on the mountain trails, it is believed that success in her new goals will come. This success will be driven by her unwavering determination, skills, and endurance that Nguyen Thi Ngot has built up over time."