On the afternoon of August 2, in Bai Chay Ward, the Organizing Committee of the Halong Bay Heritage Marathon Powered by Li-Ning officially announced the 2026 season, which is expected to attract approximately 18,000 athletes, including 5,000 international athletes. The event will take place from November 20 to 22, with the official race day on November 22.
Speaking at the announcement ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Tri, General Director of DHA Vietnam, the owner and organizer of the race, said that the continued certification with the World Athletics Label demonstrates the commitment to professionalism and excellence, affirming the race’s organizational quality and international standards recognized by the world’s leading athletics governing body, while also contributing to strengthening Vietnam’s position on the global marathon map.
According to the Organizing Committee, the 2026 season is expected to attract approximately 18,000 athletes, including around 5,000 international athletes, making it the largest field in the race’s 11-season history.
Athletes will compete in four standard distances: 42.195km, 21.0975km, 10km and 5km.
The start and finish lines will be located at the Quang Ninh Province Planning, Fair and Exhibition Palace on Tran Quoc Nghien Street. The course has been designed, optimized and organized with both directions fully closed, ensuring safety and creating favorable conditions for athletes to improve their performance, while also offering a unique experience as they run through the spectacular landscape of Ha Long Bay, a World Natural Heritage Site.
Building on the success of previous editions, the Halong Bay Heritage Marathon continues to strengthen its reputation as the only race in Vietnam awarded the World Athletics Label Road Race by World Athletics. This recognition reflects the race’s organizational quality and international standards, while opening up opportunities to attract an increasing number of elite athletes and the international running community to Ha Long.
Deputy Director of the Quang Ninh Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Nguyen Thanh Tung, highly appreciated the efforts, dedication and professionalism of the Organizing Committee in continuously innovating and improving the quality of the race, gradually strengthening its reputation among the domestic and international running community.
At the announcement ceremony, the Organizing Committee introduced the Green Dragon Cup, a competition dedicated to the business community, aimed at strengthening connections, fostering interaction and promoting the spirit of sports.
