12 runners relay 1000km for four days and nights

This challenge comes from the idea of ​​Mr. Chi Hung – a running coach in Ho Chi Minh City, and is responded by many other runners.

“As I was preparing for an April marathon, I suddenly thought about training for ultra trails at the end of the year. Exercises for this range are always time consuming and boring, including training. extreme weather factors, time zone difference, and at the same time must be maintained, so I want to link the practice of the members who share the same goal to practice together. Such teammates will motivate each individual to progress, overcoming the boredom of long distances which requires a strong will, “said Hung. VnExpress about initiating the challenge.

After the idea was presented by Mr. Chi Hung, the members registered by themselves the distance and running time of the day to coordinate with the whole team. The chosen running location is a road in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, where a team member’s home is located, and is the gathering point of the team during the challenge.

12 runners participated in this challenge, taking turns wearing watches and running continuously, from 16:50 on April 29 to reaching the milestone of 1000 km at 8:37 on May 3. In addition, 11 people – from different running communities in Ho Chi Minh City – participated in the running response.

Bui Tuan Lam was the longest runner, with 123 kilometers, in challenge. This runner shared: “The more I run, the more I like and confidently see my ability to do well. Difficulties to overcome are mainly sunny weather, and the feeling of a little slump when running alone. at night”.

Doan Nguyen, the oldest member, sees this as an opportunity to train for the goal of conquering a distance of 160km at the Vietnam Mountain Marathon trail in August next. “The challenge helps me adapt my body to running continuously for a day. Of course, the body will get tired because we don’t have much time to recover. But when it gets over it, the body learns to do it. self-regulate, ”said the 56-year-old runner.

Through four days of continuous relaying, according to members, the most difficulty lies in the time frame from 9:00 to 16:00, because of the extreme heat. Next is the stage from 22:00 to 4 am the next morning, most runners have to run alone and fight themselves with the feeling of wanting to stop because the sleep is always ready to strike.

Tran Ngoc, who completes 100km, mentioned just her choice: “Playing sports for a long time, I always raise safety issues, limit injuries. I register a running time from 15:30, when the weather is still The hot sun is suitable for me to practice heat for the upcoming VnExpress Marathon Quy Nhon “.

As the person who completed the last kilometers, runner Dao Thi Quynh Thoa said: “Accepting the words of Hung, but honestly, before the team starts to run, I do not dare to think that I and my teammates will complete a long way. Even though I have to take turns running continuously Even if I don’t say it, I’m always worried: worrying if you guys are okay, worry about running all the time then can your legs bear it? I also felt relieved when I personally took the final steps to reach the team’s 1000 km goal “.

Xuan Diu