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| Recently, very young runners have appeared more frequently at recent marathon events |
Having taken part in dozens of running events across the city, Khoi, a very young runner, still felt nervous on the night before the marathon “New Year 2026 Jogging - Huong Thuy Spreading Wings for Dreams”, which was held on the morning of January 4. Although the race officially kicked off at 5:30 a.m., his mother had already been awake since 3 a.m., to prepare meals and get ready for the journey.
Though still a sixth grader at Nguyen Chi Dieu Secondary School, Khoi is already a familiar face at various marathons in Hue. He has spent the past 2 years taking part in local marathons, and he is a member of several running clubs, including “Loving Hue Running” and “Hue City - Running for the Community”. Khoi’s first experience on the track came with “Dong Ba Market Jogging 2024”. Since then, he has steadily added more marathons to his journey. In the early days of 2026, he participated in 2 events, including the “New Year 2026 Jogging - Huong Thuy Spreading Wings for Dreams” and, most recently, the “Thuy Xuan Jogging 2026”, held on the morning of Sunday, January 18, at Thuy Tien Lake Park.
Khoi’s mother shared that he is an energetic and physically active child who enjoys many sports; but running holds a special place in his heart. Along with his passion, Khoi trains with remarkable discipline with a surprisingly professional attitude. In preparation for the marathons, Khoi typically runs from 3 to 5 kilometers a day, rarely missing a session, even in cold, rainy weather. He is also part of a group of classmates who share the same interest in running, and take part in marathon events together. The more they train, the greater their endurance becomes.
Running a few kilometers every day has helped the children stay active and move away from phone screens, a common issue among children in the digital age. Beyond regular training, the group also takes the initiative in registering for and participating in marathon events.
Recently, the running movement in Hue has seen a strong surge, evolving beyond a form of personal fitness into a community cultural activity closely linked with heritage tourism. Notably, the movement has also witnessed the growing presence of children and families running together, creating scenes that are both heartwarming and emotionally resonant.
In Hue, children typically take part in running activities through 2 main formats. Notable examples include the marathons specifically designed for very young participants, such as Kun Marathon Hue, which is exclusively for children aged 6 to 10, and S-Race, the largest school-based marathon in Vietnam, open to students from primary school through university. In Khoi’s case, along with his friends, the experience reflects a more adventurous choice: registering for and competing in short distances, such as the 5-kilometer category, at major marathon events.
Kun Marathon is a marathon exclusively for children aged 6-10, held ahead of VnExpress Marathon Imperial Hue 2022. By taking part in the event, participants receive free entry and a race kit consisting of a T-shirt, a cap, and a bib number, all packed in a fabric bag. The T-shirt and bib are specially designed and categorized by age to suit each child’s running ability. Upon completing the track, all children receive a medal and souvenirs. Additionally, those who achieve good results in their respective heats have the opportunity to win valuable prizes. The organizing committee set up a dedicated check-in photo area for the young runners.
At the race themed “Every Step - Connecting Love,” which Khoi had the opportunity to take part in, the organizing committee encouraged participation by offering free registration for people with disabilities and children aged 10-15. The organizing committee of Jogging Huong Thuy 2026 has presented 100 gift packages to underprivileged students who have overcome difficulties and achieved good academic results in the ward.
From 5km tracks to daily training habits, very young runners in Hue are helping to spread a healthy and positive sporting playground, where children grow up with a strong sense of sportsmanship and responsibility.