Luong Son Pass makes it difficult for MetaSports Marathon Nha Trang runner

From the 21 kilometer of the track, the runner starts up Luong Son Pass extending to kilometer 34. That is, each 42km athlete has to conquer about 13 km of the pass with consecutive up and down slopes. The highest point of the pass is 60 meters above sea level. Plus the high temperature, about 28 degrees Celsius, makes MetaSports Marathon Nha Trang a test of the fitness and will of every runner.

This year's tournament in Nha Trang has only 16 runners completing the run in under 3 hours. In which, Japanese runner - Hiroki Nakajima finished first with 2 hours and 33 minutes. The new champion of MetaSports Marathon is a rare face to conquer the pass quite gently. He interacted with the photographer, waved to runners going in the opposite direction and smiled all the way.

The rest of them lost their strength when going up the pass. Victor Chepkwony - the Kenyan runner, who was expected to win the championship, proved difficult when conquering consecutive slopes. When he reached the finish line, Victor sat down on the carpet, and it took a while to get up. The Kenyan runner admitted to having difficulty climbing the pass.

Right after Victor, Trinh Quoc Luong also had to ask for the support of the medical team when he reached the finish line on bare feet. The champion VM Hanoi 2020 seems to be injured after the race is too hard.

Female champion Shelmith Muriuki achieved 2 hours 52 minutes, 5 minutes behind when she won the MetaSports Marathon Quy Nhon. Shelmith admitted the track was harder than expected. "The race was quite difficult. I wanted to run for 2 hours and 30 minutes, but the slope was too much so I was a bit tired. Anyway I am happy to win the tournament", Muriuki said after finishing first.

MetaSports Marathon Nha Trang 2023 has 84 runners completed under 3 hours 30 minutes. Among these are many familiar runners such as Bui Van Da, Phan Tan Cuong, Nong Chang, and Sweet Nguyen. Anna Le. 268 athletes completed the race in less than 4 hours. Huynh Thai Loc, owner of Binh Duong Runner Club - who ran many times under 3 hours, had unsatisfactory results. Mr. Loc was in Nha Trang three days before the tournament and predicted the competition would be difficult due to the hot weather. "The road is steep and hot, causing the body to lose water quickly. I see many runners have cramps, so I actively slow down, listen to the body and accept this result," said male runner.

To support runners competing in hot weather, the organizers increased the number of water stations with full electrolytes, fruit, and cold water. On average, nearly 2km there is a water station, medical center, and toilet.

MetaSports Marathon Nha Trang leaves many unforgettable emotions. The tournament welcomed a brand new champion, Nakajima, and witnessed a wave of foreign runners sweeping the top - something that had never been seen in previous tournaments. In addition to Hiroki Nakajima, Victor and Shelmith, the event on the morning of August 13 saw Yosuke Maeda finish 6th after 2 hours and 46 minutes. Tomori Nakajima - wife of the men's champion who finished second in the women's event. Another Japanese runner, Isamu Matsuzawa, finished second in the 50-59 age group.

At a distance of 21km, there were no surprises when Do Quoc Luat proved to be superior. He won the 21km race for the 5th time and the 6th time a MetaSports Marathon. Law surpassed Hong Le to become the most successful runner at VM. Nguyen Thi Phuong Trinh won the women's content.