WHY I LOVE VMM - STORIES FROM THE TRAIL
Join runners from around the globe in the unforgettable adventure of the Vietnam Mountain Marathon (VMM)! But don’t just take our word for it – hear from the passionate runners who have experienced its magic firsthand. Here is what our runners had to say about their experience:
Why I Love VMM - Nhon Trong from Viet Nam
I love VMM the most. Although each race held by Topas has its own unique identity, I enjoyed the atmosphere of being at the biggest trail race like VMM. We often call VMM the Trail Festival of Vietnam or the final graduation exam of trail running lovers.
Why I love VMM - Saurabh Mahanta from India
Running through the mountainous beauty with its golden rice fields, water buffaloes, and vibrant ethnic communities. Traversing through local trails, experiencing thrilling climbs, descents, and authentic village life.
Why I love VMM - Xiaoyun Zeng from Singapore
Vietnam Mountain Marathon 70k
First trail race in Vietnam and absolutely loved it!
- The race organiser provided travel packages covering Hanoi-Sapa-Hanoi and it was a very unique experience to mingle with trail runners from all over the world! Got to know so many amazing people!
- Course marks were one of the best in SEA. Never got lost or checked my watch/phone once!
- Race center agenda was planned nicely – sufficiently engaging yet minimalist
- Sapa is beautiful! Unfortunately no time to go for the highest peak in Vietnam but sunrise over rice fields were gorgeous
- Pre- / Post- race buffet was plenty and delicious
All in all, congrats to all podiums, finishers and DNF-but-tried-their-bests! It’s always fun to share a race weekend with old friends and make some new friends.
Thank you for creating the memorable weekend!
Why I Love VMM - Tuan Anh from Viet Nam
Vietnam’s Tú Dồ (Nguyen Duc Tuan Anh) has run and podiumed at many of Vietnam’s races. On VMM, he shares: “The Vietnam Mountain Marathon captivates runners with its breathtaking landscapes, from lush valleys to grand peaks. We immerse ourselves in the region’s vibrant culture, encountering local villages and unique traditions.
The challenging course, with grueling climbs and technical descents, pushes us to our limits, building resilience and a profound sense of accomplishment. But it’s the warm, supportive community that truly sets this event apart, as runners encourage and inspire one another throughout the journey.
This is the longest-established trail running event in Vietnam, attracting not only top runners from across the country but also notable athletes from around the world. For trail running enthusiasts, the Vietnam Mountain Marathon offers an unparalleled blend of natural beauty, personal growth, and shared camaraderie”
Why I Love VMM - Luong Pham, who has joined all VMM editions
In life, there will be places that are never your intended destination, but are meant to pass by many times. An unknown and strange place, neither worth remembering, nor paying attention to, being seen only as a lifeless tree or rock, until one day you suddenly realize you and that place are destined for each other just by unintentionally observing one another’s changes throughout time.
For me, it is those small houses in the Hmong village after Check Point 7 in Su Pan commune, Sa Pa, on the road leading up to Silverstone. Out of my 10 years running VMM, I have passed by these houses 8 times, each time probably about five or seven minutes. I thought nothing special would remain, but after searching my memory, I realized how much this place has changed over the past nine years.
The houses are upgraded and more spacious, the muddy roads are now reinforced concrete. The adults are still rarely present, but the children now wear better clothes and their faces are no longer smudgy. They learn to sell bamboo sticks to the passing runners instead of just quietly observing them with curious and fearful eyes like they used to. Some of the smudgy children of 2014 must have been married by now. Many of today’s children might not have been born nine years ago. Ethnic people get married at a very young age; who knows, the youngest in this group of children may be the kid of someone whom I met in the past. A moment of realization that for me, this is just a place I happened to pass by, but for them, this is home, this is life. And at that time, this connection suddenly feels so close.
The VMM gate is my destination.
Why I love VMM - Emi, who has joined all VMM editions
Yes, l love VMM – it is full of the extraordinary.
Heart pumping; views; elevation; vibrancy… emotion in the mountains. Sapa is such a beautiful place.
I love the smiles of the friends I have met there. Seeing the beautiful views and the friends has become a part of me. I am grateful to all the crew, the volunteers, and the minorities of Sapa.
I love taking long trips there with my daughter. To experience and touch many things. I wanted to show her many things.
The first edition 2013, she was 7 years old. This year 2024, she will be a university student! That’s also when I first met David – back in 2013. The distance was 42km. He stood out a lot because he is tall.
My daughter has grown up and so has VMM and the whole VTS race series. Now it is the number one competition that we are proud of in Vietnam.
I am very much influenced by Mr. Nakamura, a veteran VMM runner. I respect his way of life and the way he runs. He continues to challenge himself with 70 km even though he is now over 70 years old.