The first-ever cross country marathon in the Mekong Delta has brought a wave of fresh and exciting experiences to runners. Marking a successful debut season, the event attracted nearly 4,300 participants—an impressive milestone for a groundbreaking race format in the region.
After more than five months of meticulous preparation, the Aikya Cross Country Marathon Trà Vinh 2025 officially kicked off on the morning of April 13, 2025, in Trà Vinh City, bringing an electrifying atmosphere with thousands of professional and amateur runners.
The event was held under the direction of the Trà Vinh Provincial People’s Committee and co-organized by the Trà Vinh Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Aikya Pharmaceutical Corporation, in collaboration with Nexus Sport Events.
The marathon featured four official race distances: 5km, 10km, 21km, and 42km. Unlike traditional road races, the Aikya Cross Country Marathon Trà Vinh 2025 offered a uniquely designed course that combined a variety of terrains—dirt trails, village roads, paved paths, and shaded lanes. Runners traversed lush green rice fields, tree-lined roads, and passed by some of the region’s most scenic and culturally rich landmarks.
The race became even more exciting with the presence of standout runners from both Vietnam and abroad. Ultra trail runner Hà Hậu quickly conquered the 21km distance with an impressive time of 01:33:49, finishing first in the 21km category and securing a spot in the overall Top 8—an outstanding performance in the debut season of the Aikya Cross Country Marathon Trà Vinh.
Seven places ahead in the overall 21km rankings, Kenyan runner Kipchumba Kimutai Hillary claimed first place with an impressive finish time of 01:20:39—an exceptional result for a cross country course making its debut in the Mekong Delta.
In the Full Marathon distance, athlete Kiptoo Edwin Yebie went head-to-head with Vietnamese runner Phạm Ngọc Phan, with the final result decided by just 15 seconds. Thanks to his strong endurance and familiarity with Kenya’s challenging terrain and climate, Kiptoo clinched the top spot with a time of 02:50:45.
In the women’s 42km category, pharmacist Nguyễn Thị Trà Giang competed closely with Nguyễn Thị Thu Hà and Lê Thị Kha Ly. Despite her petite frame, her determination was extraordinary as she surged ahead, finishing with a time of 03:23:09—4 minutes ahead of Thu Hà and 5 minutes ahead of Kha Ly.
Ambassador – “Desert Rose” Thanh Vũ joined the runners in the 5km race, while “Mekong Delta Runner” Ambassador Minh Đức participated in the 21km category. Additionally, the first season saw the participation of many professional athletes, including Triệu Tiến Luyện, Tấn Hi, Đan Quyết, and the young talent Vòng Vành Long, along with many other notable runners.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Nguyễn Đắc Hải – CEO of Aikya Group shared: “From researching and providing quality healthcare products and services to joining hands in organizing meaningful events like today’s race, we aim to contribute to building a healthy society where everyone is motivated to improve their health and quality of life.”
The Aikya Cross Country Marathon Trà Vinh 2025 concluded successfully, bringing the beauty of Trà Vinh – a precious gem in the Mekong Delta – closer to both domestic and international friends. With the message “Energy Of Harmony,” the marathon spread the spirit of healthy living, environmental awareness, and community connection through the passion for running, while also raising awareness about physical and mental well-being in modern society.
About Aikya Pharmaceutical JSC (Aikya)
Aikya Pharmaceutical JSC (Aikya) is currently one of the largest pharmaceutical groups in Vietnam. Established in 2016, Aikya is proud to be a Vietnamese pharmaceutical company serving the health needs of the Vietnamese people. “Energy Of Harmony” is the mission Aikya relentlessly pursues, aiming to deliver superior products and groundbreaking healthcare solutions that harmonize scientific knowledge and human health.
About Nexus Sport Events
Nexus Sport Events is a professional organizer of top-tier running events in Vietnam. With over 10 years of experience in organizing and operating sports and entertainment events, Nexus has created and manages the Vietnam Nexus Marathon Series (VNMS), a series of successful running events that cover southern Vietnam, including the Mekong Delta Marathon, Da Lat Music Night Run, Đất Sen Hồng Marathon, and Can Tho Music Night Run, among others. Nexus Sport Events’ goal is to build a quality sports community, attracting millions of Vietnamese to engage in physical activities and adopt a healthy lifestyle, thereby enhancing Vietnam’s running performance and integrating it with the global running scene.
