Vietnam Runner: 'Hard Boston Marathon'

Minh Duc (32 years old, Vinh Long) is one of 10 Vietnamese runners attending the Boston Marathon. He arrived in Boston three days early before the race to get used to the weather but still couldn't stand the cold. Minh Duc said low temperatures are favorable for runners, but for people living in hot areas like him, it is difficult to adapt.

Entering the Boston Marathon starting line at 9:37 am (local time), it rained, the temperature dropped below 8 degrees Celsius, the strong wind made his limbs numb. "I feel like my body doesn't heat up, but the more I run, the more I cool down. It's extremely uncomfortable. Holding the gel pack to bite, but my hand is numb, it is very difficult to open it. So is my leg," Minh Duc said. During the 42km race, he witnessed many runners having problems with heat, having to give up or walk.

According to the Western countryside runner, not only is the weather rainy and cold, the race is harsh because of the high and long slopes. While foreign runners, especially African athletes, they run uphill at a very high pace, he has to "crawl" through those slopes with heavy legs.

"The slope itself is not good, but in the second half of the journey, especially near the finish line, the slope appeared continuously, I lost my strength very quickly. The last 100m was cramped, I had to turn around and run back to the finish line", Duc said. know. Despite the pain and fatigue, the male runner never intended to give up. "I know I can still run. Moreover, getting here is not easy. I don't want to squander my chances, much less support the support of my brothers and sisters at home and the fans here. here," he said.

On the day of the tournament, all trading, learning and living activities stopped completely. City buses are mobilized to serve athletes. The entire population turned their attention to the running steps of runners from all over the world.

Running the Boston Marathon for the first time gave Germany a different feeling in serving athletes. Previously competing in Vietnam, runner Vinh Long often ran on a one-lane locked road, still being able to blend in with the pace of life of local people. In Boston, he only saw the competitive atmosphere when the entire roadway was for runners to compete.

"Because they blocked the entire road, the water station was located on both sides, each station was several hundred meters long, it was very convenient to get water. Electrolytes first, filtered water second. 33,000 athletes competed but did not encounter congestion. congestion," Minh Duc recounted.

Boston Marathon is the first "outbound" trip in Minh Duc's runner life. He finished the race after 2 hours 53 minutes 22 seconds, 2 minutes faster than the original goal. For the guy in the West, this is the most special award in his life. He is satisfied with his efforts, and has no regrets about the results.

"Throughout the US, I had to get used to the time zone, the weather was harsh. So staying healthy and completing the race was a great success," said the 32-year-old runner. The only thing that makes him regret the most is not having met his idol Eliud Kipchoge. "I idolize him in terms of expertise, lifestyle, discipline. I think he won't be able to fight much longer and this race I'm closer to him than ever," added the 32-year-old runner.

After the race ended, on April 18, Nguyen Tran Minh Duc left for Vietnam to prepare for the next plans. After the Boston Marathon, the male runner is expected to register for the Chicago Marathon, which will take place on October 8 this year.

"The President of Cu Chi Runner Club - Mr. Nguyen Huy Phat has just announced that the Chicago Marathon is his special reward for me after completing the race in Boston," Duc shared. In addition, Nguyen Tran Minh Duc will register for more prizes in Thailand, Singapore, Japan... to rub and diversify experiences.

Nguyen Tran Minh Duc has been coming to the marathon since 2019. MetaSports Marathon Sparkling Quy Nhon 2020, the first time this athlete has conquered the 42km distance. He completed his first full marathon in 2 hours 58 minutes 05 seconds, just qualified for BQ (Boston Qualify), but not sure enough for an official spot.

Two years later, he practiced hard and participated in domestic tournaments. In April 2022, Duc attended the MetaSports Marathon Imperial Hue, which is an important milestone on the way to the most prestigious marathon on the planet. The achievement of 2 hours 46 minutes 36 seconds plus the AIMS (International Marathon Association) standard are two criteria to help Germany register at the Boston Marathon.

Besides Minh Duc, Vietnam has 10 athletes participating in the Boston Marathon. The remaining names are Hoang Huy, Dong Dinh, Thu Trang, Van Da, Hung Vo, Dao Han, Trang Tran, Dinh Linh. In which, Hung Vo finished with a record of 3 hours 43 minutes 24 seconds, Dao Han finished the race with 3 hours 07 minutes 25 seconds and Trang Tran ran 4 hours 29 minutes 30 seconds. Runner Dinh Linh did not participate in this tournament because he was not in the best form.

Dong Dinh, Thu Trang, Minh Duc, Van Da, Hoang Huy all used their achievements at MetaSports Marathon as a condition to register for the tournament.