VMM 2026 Trail Running: Ha Thi Hau Wins Women's 100km at Sa Pa

Sa Pa, Lao Cai — The Vietnam Mountain Marathon 2026 (VMM 2026) concluded with an impressive victory by athlete Ha Thi Hau in the 100km category, completing the brutal course in 12 hours 54 minutes 43 seconds. This result placed her second overall behind all male competitors while securing first place in the women's division. The event ran from September 17 to 20, 2026, in Sa Pa district, Lao Cai province, attracting approximately 5,300 athletes from 54 countries and territories competing across six distances: 10km, 21km, 50km, 70km, 100km, and 160km. The course is widely regarded as one of the most challenging terrain races in Vietnam, featuring steep, narrow, and complex sections. For most of the race, Ha Thi Hau faced fierce competition from rival Rylin Nakache. However, in the final stages, she executed a decisive surge that created and held a gap to the finish line. This tactical move was identified as the key factor in her victory. Weather conditions throughout the event were particularly harsh, with heavy rain continuously battering the northern highlands, making the terrain increasingly slippery and dangerous. Despite this, Ha Thi Hau demonstrated exceptional composure and adaptability to the adverse conditions. Her performance solidifies her standing in Vietnamese trail running. The VMM race, first organized in 2026, has become the most notable mountain terrain event in the region. In other categories, Junghyun Lim (South Korea) won the men's 160km in 24 hours 53 minutes 27 seconds, while Nguyen Si Hieu finished second in 26 hours 51 minutes 49 seconds. Man Yee Cheung (Hong Kong) claimed the women's 160km title, beating compatriot Giang Thi Linh by a mere 2 seconds after over 29 hours of racing. At the 70km distance, Vang A Tung finished first in the men's category with 8 hours 55 minutes 16 seconds, just 6 seconds ahead of Ly A Song. Phuong Thi Hong Nhung won the women's 70km in 11 hours 36 minutes 26 seconds. VMM 2026 continues to affirm its position as Vietnam's first trail running event and one of the most prominent sports events in Southeast Asia.