Past champions and re-matches ignite VJM
On October 17, 2026, the Vietnam Jungle Marathon presented by Kailas FUGA (VJM) will return to the trails of Pu Luong Nature Reserve for its 9th edition, with distances up to 70km. Featuring over 1,500 athletes from 51 nations and territories, the event promises plenty of highly anticipated re-matches and the potential for course record breaking performances.
Vietnam Jungle Marathon has taken place in beautiful Pu Luong Nature Reserve since 2017. Part of the Topas Vietnam Trail Series, the race has long attracted a rich, international field, including top regional and domestic talent. With a start list including a host of top talent, 2026 once again promises some excellent and tight racing in beautiful Pu Luong.
VJM 70KM – Course Records In Danger
Both the women’s and men’s fields feature a mix of experienced VJM podium runners and debutants. Many are coming off the back of some heavy recent racing, so podium spots may be decided by powers of recovery, as much as pure trail speed.
In the men’s race, Pacome Poignant of France comes in with the highest ITRA index. His 2026 includes 3rd at the 100km Trail du Kreiz Breizh, while in 2025 he won the Ultra-Trail Harricana du Canada 42km.
He faces top-seeded Vietnamese runner, Ngô Văn Chính, who makes his VJM debut. He won his hometown race, VMM 100km in 2025 and backed it up with 3rd in 2026. Will the recovery period since VMM be sufficient for him to challenge for the win, and maybe even the VJM course record?
They face Nguyễn Tiến Võ, a Pu Luong specialist whose VJM trajectory has seen him climb from 11th to 2nd and finally to the top step of the podium in 2024. Despite having a grueling 100-mile victory in his legs from just two weeks ago, his intimate knowledge of these trails makes him a perennial favourite for the podium.
Adding more international firepower is Spain’s Borja Bonet Segui, who brings European mountain experience to his VJM debut following the second-place finish at the Mestia Ultra 70km.
The women’s 70km field is equally stacked, headlined by ITRA ranking leader Giàng Thị Linh.
Linh took third-place in the VJM 70km last year, but this year she has come back closer to her 2024 form, with a recent runner-up spot at the VMM 100 Miles. Like Tien Vo, Linh arrives off her recent MCC 100km win. She is joined by Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Anh, who is unbeaten at VJM, with wins in the 25km in 2023 and the 50km in 2024 and 2025.
The depth of the field is further bolstered by reigning VMM 70km champion Phương Thị Hồng Nhung, who makes her VJM debut after a stellar 2025 season, and Lê Phương Vy, the most experienced woman in the field. She has four previous VJM starts and three of them resulted in a podium. She is a past VMM 100 Miles champion – a race she also took 6th at, just a few weeks ago.
VJM 50KM
Leading the men’s field is Sapa’s Sùng A Sử, who carries the highest ITRA Index into his VJM debut. Having already secured a victory at the VTM 42km and a third-place finish at the VMM 50km this year, Sử is in prime position to dictate the pace.
Behind him on ITRA ranking , but with plenty of VJM experience, is Stephen Barkey (Ireland) who took second last year. Two more VJM debut runners who could be in the podium battle are Nguyễn Đăng Quang and Julien Rogan of France.
The UK’s Christine Mitchell returns to VJM, having won the race in 2023. She lines up against Phùng Trang, who boasts a perfect podium record in Pu Luong, with runner-up finishes in both the 25km and 70km categories. They face reigning VJM 25km champion Thái Thị Hồng. This trio all raced the VMM 50km last month as part of World Trail Majors. That time around Trang was fifth, Hong sixth and Christine tenth. Will VJM see their relative positions shift in Pu Luong?
They must contend with a strong international contingent making their Vietnam debut. Kwan Wai Law is coming in from Hong Kong for her first race in Vietnam. In 2026 she has won the X Trail 18km and the Four Sacred Beasts 18km. Joining her is the UK’s Benedicte Sampson, whose resume includes a commanding win at the Ultra X Morocco 110km.
VJM 25km
Both the men’s and women’s fields include former VJM winners. In the men’s race, two Vietnamese runners who know Pu Luong well face a debutant from Britain. In the women’s race, a 100-mile podium finisher drops down to the shortest distance against two of Vietnam’s in-form short-course runners.
In the men’s race, Nguyễn Xuân Tứ arrives with the highest ITRA Index in the field and the deepest VJM record. This is his fifth VJM. He won the 25km in 2024, finished 2nd last year, and has also raced the 50km, taking 4th in 2023.
Trần Đại Sáng returns after finishing 4th at VJM last year. He was 3rd at the VTM 21km behind Tu, but then beat him at the VMM21km just last month, thus setting up another VJM rematch.
Nick Howard (UK) makes his VJM debut after winning the 17km at The Westwind Trail in 2024.
For the women, Nguyễn Thị Trà Giang leads the field on ITRA ranking. She has two VJM podiums in the 50km, 2nd in 2023 and 3rd in 2025. She was also 3rd at the VMM 100 Miles just weeks ago.
Nguyễn Thị Mai is one of the most consistent short-course runners in Vietnam this year. She makes her VJM debut after podium finishes at the VMM 21km and the VTM 21km in 2026.
They are joined by Marah Charbel, a former VJM winner. She won the 21km in 2024 and returns to Pu Luong to chase a second title.
Racing for a cause
Beyond the running itself, VJM 2026 continues its mission of social impact. The Vietnam Trail Series has now surpassed US$575,000 in charitable funding. The charitable aims of VTS funding are: young people in hardship, medical/health and education.
Since 2017 VJM has funded child drowning prevention for Thanh Hoa province; support for kids in crisis through Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation; and surgery for children via Operation Smile.
Funding has also been allocated to large capital project to re-build a local school. Further funding for AED devices and training is allocated, with this project currently in the planning phase.
VJM also allocates free bibs for charities to raise further funding, as well as welcoming groups of young people from Blue Dragon for a free weekend in Pu Luong to enjoy the race.