Swimming
Events

What started as a way to showcase the beauty of Ha Long Bay—a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site—has become something Vietnam’s running community is really proud of over the last ten years. The organizers have always wanted to make the event more international, and they have focused primarily on ensuring runners worldwide have a great time. The course, with its unique blend of challenging terrains and breathtaking views, lets runners soak in Ha Long Bay’s one-of-a-kind scenery while experiencing the thrill of a well-organized race. 2025 is a big year—it marks the 10th anniversary of the Halong Heritage International Marathon, which is still the only marathon in Vietnam with the World Athletics Road Race Label. This recognition not only showcases the event’s top-notch quality but also puts Vietnam firmly on the world marathon map. It’s a testament to Quang Ninh’s push for sustainable tourism, bringing together sports, heritage, culture, and travel on a global stage. On October 7, 2025, the Halong Heritage International Marathon received the World Athletics Road Race Label certification. With this certification, Ha Long unlocks potential for being a hub for the world’s running community, where results are accepted globally and potentially used for qualifying for major events like the World Championships or Olympic Games. Beyond competition, the event has become a significant contributor to sustainable sport tourism. As thousands of domestic and international runners and visitors converge on Ha Long each year, the Halong Heritage International Marathon has been directly contributing to revenues in services, lodging, and dining, while amplifying the image of Vietnam and Quang Ninh–Ha Long in particular to the world. Your support and participation make a real difference to the local economy. Halong Heritage International Marathon 2025 is scheduled for November 23, 2025. It is more than a competition; it is an occasion for each runner and athlete to walk proudly along a heritage route and indulge in Ha Long Bay’s irresistible beauty. Each step not merely chases passion but also serves to consolidate the position of a Vietnamese marathon that has indeed arrived on a global scale. This year’s event is expected to welcome the most significant number of international participants in Vietnam, with nearly 3,000 runners —a 120% increase over 2024. Lining up to compete is Lee Bong-ju, one of the greatest long-distance runners in Korean athletics. Born in 1970, Lee made history by winning the silver medal in the men’s marathon (42.195 km) at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics with a time of 2:12:39. Joining him will be around 1,500 other Koreans, including professional athletes, tourists, businesspeople, and members of the Korean community living and working in Vietnam. Based on preliminary estimates, if each runner spends an average of 3–5 million VND on accommodation, dining, and services, then over just three days, the Halong Heritage International Marathon could generate tens of billions of VND for the local tourism industry—making a tangible contribution to the country’s broader strategy to “reach outward.”

The Maldives Half Marathon 2025 concluded in Hulhumalé on 15 August with record participation, making it the largest half marathon event ever organized by iRunners. This year’s race brought together over 1,500 runners across all categories, creating a vibrant celebration of sport, community, and culture. The highlight was the Half Marathon (21.1 km), where 213 runners lined up at the start — the biggest field in the event’s history. Quote from Race Director, Hussain Shujau “It’s amazing to see the growth of marathon tourism in Maldives. Maldives Half Marathon 2025 is our biggest international event so far with runners from 26 countries participating in the event. The 20 runners from Japanese Running Club in India’s participation is something we welcome wholeheartedly, and we invite other global running clubs to visit Maldives for a Runcation. I want to personally thank all our sponsors, partners, volunteers and supporters for making Maldives Half Marathon 2025 a huge success.” A Truly International Race The 2025 edition welcomed runners from 27 different countries, showcasing the global appeal of the event. Among them, a special highlight was the 20 international runners from the Japanese Running Club in India, whose enthusiasm added to the diverse spirit of the race. Inspiring the Next Generation with UNICEF In partnership with UNICEF Maldives, this year’s focus extended to the Kids Mile, which saw over 300 children take part. A remarkable 200 students from Salahuddin School participated, reflecting the growing passion for running among young Maldivians and the importance of building a healthier future generation.

Mr. Jakrapol Tangsuthitham, Assistant Minister of Tourism and Sports and Ministry Spokesperson, presided over a press conference to announce the IAU 100 KM Asia & Oceania Championships 2025. The event took place at the Rattanakosin Room, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (Sao Ching Cha), attended by key figures including Assoc. Prof. Chatchart Sittipun, Governor of Bangkok; Maj. Gen. Surapong Ariyamongkol, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Athletics Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage; Deputy Police Captain Dr. Manas Nonuch, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC); Mr. Nantapol Thongnilpan, Director of the Professional Sports Development Division representing the Sports Authority of Thailand; along with representatives from relevant agencies and the media. The event aims to promote ultramarathon sports at both continental and national levels, positioning Thailand as a hub for health-focused sports in Asia under the government’s “Amazing Thailand 2025” policy. It also serves as a stepping stone for Thailand to bid for hosting the IAU 100 KM World Championships in the future. The IAU 100 KM Asia & Oceania Championships 2025 will be held at Wachirabenchathat park (Rot Fai Park) on November 22-23, 2025. The competition categories include: - IAU 100 KM Asia & Oceania Championships (Men/Women) - Thailand Championships: 100 KM and 24-Hour races (Men/Women) - Open Race: 100 KM, 50 KM, 24-Hour, 12-Hour, and 6-Hour races Mr. Jakrapol highlighted that this marks Thailand’s historic first as the official host of a continental ultramarathon championship certified by the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU). The event showcases Thailand’s readiness to host global competitions, supported by robust infrastructure, safety measures, medical systems, and event management. Aligned with the government’s “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism & Sports Year 2025” initiative, the championship leverages sports to promote Thailand’s soft power. It also positions the country as a global sports event hub. A successful event could pave the way for Thailand to bid for the IAU 100 KM World Championships in the future. Mr. Jakrapol expressed gratitude to the Athletics Association of Thailand, IAU, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and all stakeholders for their collaboration. He invited Thais to join as gracious hosts in welcoming athletes from across the region, aiming to establish Bangkok as a “world-class running city.” He concluded with confidence that the event will be a success and a source of pride for all Thais.