HCMC Marathon

Location: Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)
Country: Vietnam
Website: https://www.hcmcmarathon.com
2025 Marathon Date: 12/01/2025
2026 Marathon Date: 11/01/2026
Winning Time 2025: 2:30:58
% Sub-3s: 0.5–1%
# Sub-3s: 10–49
Total Runners: 1k–3k

The HCMC Marathon takes place in Ho Chi Minh City, the largest and most densely populated city in Vietnam. Held each January, the race has become a flagship event in the country’s growing running calendar, drawing thousands of participants to a course that blends urban infrastructure with tropical heat and humidity.

The marathon route begins and ends in District 7, a modern area with broad roads and open boulevards. The course includes multiple overpasses, long straight stretches, and a mix of flyovers and flat sections. Though not especially hilly, the layout is disrupted by sharp turns, bridge crossings and cambered roads that can sap rhythm, particularly in the latter stages. The roads are fully closed, and signage is clear, but the physical effort required is intensified by environmental factors.

January marks the cooler part of the dry season in southern Vietnam, but conditions remain challenging for endurance racing. Race start temperatures often exceed 20°C, with humidity levels remaining high throughout the morning. Even early starters must account for heat management, making it essential to pace conservatively and prioritise hydration from the outset.

The event is well organised, with efficient bib pickup, strong marshalling, and supportive on-course volunteers. Hydration stations are frequent and reliably stocked. While crowd support is modest and patchy outside of central hubs, the overall event atmosphere is upbeat and community-oriented.

The HCMC Marathon is unlikely to produce fast times for most runners, but it holds value for those targeting resilience over raw speed. It may appeal to sub-3 hopefuls based in Southeast Asia or those using it as a fitness test within a longer training block. While not an obvious PB course, it offers a unique and authentic city marathon experience in a major Southeast Asian metropolis.