The third edition of the Vietnam Mountain Marathon will be the biggest off-road running event ever in Vietnam. It offers trail runs of 10km, 21km, 42km and 70km in the stunning rice terrace-clad hills surrounding Sapa.
Runners can expect an extraordinary adventure along twisting, buffalo-beaten trails. The route will take them across bamboo bridges and through small villages where colorfully dressed ethnic minority folk will be out in force to cheer them on.
The finish line will be at the hilltop Topas Ecolodge where there is always a jubilant atmosphere. With a BBQ smoking and a backdrop of tall peaks and deep valleys, there will be great camaraderie among runners and supporters as they cheer finishers across the line until nightfall and beyond.
The 2015 event also features a 10km run which provides runners with a great opportunity to get a taste of off-road running. The 10km race promises to attracts plenty of local runners who are keen to show the international contingent how it’s done.
Giving back
Every entry fee for the event includes a $20 donation to Sapa O’Chau. Sapa O’Chau runs a variety of local projects, including its own school with over 70 students. Many ethnic minority kids from the villages surrounding Sapa have limited access to educational opportunities beyond the age of ten. Even before that, many drop out of school to help their families. There is a clear need to enhance the educational opportunities of ethnic minority youths in Sapa. Through their participation in the Vietnam Mountain Marathon, runners can help make this happen.