Hanoi Marathon

Location: Hanoi

Country:  Vietnam
Website:  https://hanoi-marathon.com/en/the-race/
2025 Marathon Date:  09/11/2025
2026 Marathon Date:  TBC
Winning Time 2025: 2:21:56

% Sub-3s:  2-5%
# Sub-3s:  10--49
Total Runners: 1-3k

The Hanoi Marathon – Heritage Race offers a uniquely atmospheric tour through the cultural and historical heart of Vietnam’s capital. Established in 2018, the event has quickly become the country’s premier international marathon, known for its flat, scenic profile and its blend of ancient heritage and modern urban energy. Certified by World Athletics and AIMS, the race provides an opportunity for athletes to run a Boston-qualifying course while experiencing the landmarks, traditions and sensory richness of central Hanoi.

For 2025, the event introduces a new start and finish at the Quần Ngựa Sports Complex in Ba Đình District, shifting from the previous Hoan Kiem Lake location. The looped route spans six major districts, carrying runners through the city’s historical core and offering a wide-ranging cultural journey. Although the scenery is diverse, the course remains notably flat, with an elevation gain of around 50 metres and a high point of approximately 20 metres, making it a favourable option for personal best attempts. Cool late-autumn conditions further contribute to fast and comfortable running.

A defining feature of the marathon is its immersion in Hanoi’s heritage. Runners pass many of the city’s most significant cultural sites, including Hoan Kiem Lake, the Turtle Tower, Ngoc Son Temple and the narrow, bustling streets of the Old Quarter’s “36 guilds.” The Long Bien Bridge provides an iconic crossing steeped in historical resonance, while the route past the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ba Dinh Square connects athletes with landmarks central to Vietnam’s national identity. Additional sections around West Lake, Truc Bach Lake and the Temple of Literature offer tranquil interludes within an otherwise vibrant urban landscape.

The event has grown rapidly, attracting over 2,500 international participants in 2025 and drawing widespread recognition as Hanoi’s Official International Marathon. Professional timing, strong cultural programming and enthusiastic local support create an energetic race-day atmosphere. Amenities across all distances — full marathon, half marathon, 10 km and 5 km — reinforce accessibility and celebrate the event’s mission to promote healthy lifestyles and present Vietnam as a modern, dynamic nation.

With its flat course, rich cultural immersion and expanding global profile, the Hanoi Marathon – Heritage Race stands out as a compelling and memorable running experience in Southeast Asia.