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After three editions that produced growing numbers of personal records (PRs) and sub-3-hour marathoners, Read Marathon Hai Phong has become known as the “Race of the PRs” among runners.

The fourth edition will feature four distances: 5km, 10km, 21km and 42km.

Flat course and cool temperatures

Much of the full marathon course consists of long, straight sections with few sharp turns and virtually no slopes. The flat terrain allows runners to maintain a steady pace and reduces the need for repeated slowing and acceleration, which can help those targeting a PR.

The late-December date also provides relatively cool racing conditions. Temperatures during the 2024 edition were around 12-13 degrees Celsius, while the 2023 race also took place in cold, dry weather.

Combined with the early start, the conditions can help runners limit their exposure to heat and direct sunlight. The race’s position near the end of the calendar also allows runners to use it as a final test after months of training.

PR and sub-3 groups are often formed ahead of the race, with pacers supporting runners targeting specific times.

Sub-3 numbers rise for three consecutive years

Hai Phong established itself as a fast course from its inaugural edition in 2023, when 82 runners finished the full marathon in under three hours and 378 finished under 3:30. Both figures were domestic records at the time.

Pham Thi Hong Le won the women’s 42km race in 2:46:48, setting a PR and breaking the Read Marathon series record she had held for three years. Runner-up Bui Thi Thu Ha improved her debut marathon time by 22 minutes, while Le Minh Tuan finished in 2:58, around four minutes faster than her previous PR.

Amateur runner Pham Thi My Duyen also improved, cutting her time from 3:17 to 3:11.

The 2024 edition again produced strong results. With temperatures around 12-13 degrees Celsius, 91 runners finished under three hours and 387 under 3:30 after results were verified. Hundreds of runners later reported new PRs on social media.

Hua Thuan Long defended his men’s 42km title in 2:32:11, about two minutes faster than the previous year. Nong Chang won the women’s race in 2:58:19, breaking three hours for the second time and setting a new PR. Le Thi Phuong and Tra Giang also finished under three hours.

Several competitive amateur and professional runners, including Vu Dinh Duan, Huynh Thanh, Trinh Dinh An, Do Van Hoang, Tra Giang and Tran Nam, also recorded PRs. Some runners who set personal bests in 2023 returned the following year seeking further improvements.

Record 134 sub-3 runners in 2025

The 2025 edition set another record, with 134 runners finishing under three hours, up from 91 in 2024. The field included eight women, making it the highest number of sub-3 finishers recorded at a marathon in Vietnam.

The race attracted around 14,000 runners, including 5,000 in the 42km event, making it the largest of the first three editions. For the first time in the Read Marathon series, full marathon registrations exceeded those for the half marathon.

Pham Thi Hong Le won the women’s race in 2:42:20, improving her PR and securing her 18th Read Marathon podium finish.

Hoang Viet Vi Ly won the men’s event in 2:26:44, his first full-marathon victory, followed by Trinh Minh Tam in 2:28:42.

Bui Van Phu finished in 2:59:59, one second inside the three-hour mark.

The number of sub-3 runners has therefore risen from 82 in 2023 to 91 in 2024 and 134 in 2025, helping establish Hai Phong as a year-end race for runners pursuing personal bests.

Read Marathon Hai Phong returns as year-end race

Read Marathon Hai Phong 2026 will return on Dec. 27 for its fourth edition, with runners again taking on the city’s long, flat roads across four distances.

For recreational runners, the race also offers an opportunity to explore Hai Phong’s food scene, including crab leather (red noodle soup with crab), fish noodle soup and not cua be (square crab spring rolls), among other local specialties.