These rules and regulations are designed to help organize and manage large-scale events, ensuring the safety of event participants in compliance with the regulations of the Vietnam Athletics Federation on recording participants’ achievements and responsibilities of the event.
Abbreviations in the Regulations:
BIB: Registration number of athletes and pets participating in the race
Check point: Rest stop – water supply
DNF – did not finish: did not finish the race
I. Conditions of participation
1. Participants
Athletes who voluntarily participate in the Trang An Marathon 2026 have read, understood and agreed to the information, documents and competition rules provided by the Organizing Committee.
Subjects: Athletes who are Vietnamese citizens and foreigners who fully meet the regulations of the Competition Regulations, are not currently being disciplined or banned from competing by the National or International Federation or the government , are all eligible to participate in the competition.
Age requirements: All ages of athletes registered as of November 15, 2026
Athletes participating in the 42KM distance must be at least 18 years old and have completed the registration with the Organizing Committee.
Athletes participating in the 21KM distance must be at least 16 years old and have completed the registration with the Organizing Committee.
Athletes participating in the 10KM distance must be at least 12 years old and have completed the registration with the Organizing Committee
Athletes participating in the 5KM distance must be at least 10 years old and have completed the registration with the Organizing Committee
Athletes under 16 years old must have a guardian who is responsible and signs a liability waiver.
Athletes under 12 years old must have a parent or guardian who monitors and is responsible for the entire tournament.
Commitment Requirement:
All participants must sign the liability waiver provided by the Organizing Committee and agree to the event’s terms and conditions. The waiver provisions shall apply to cases explicitly specified in the liability waiver document issued by the Organizing Committee.
Athletes must agree to all registration regulations, including the Organizing Committee’s refund/cancellation policy.
Athletes must comply with the competition rules and regulations set by the Organizing Committee.
The Organizing Committee reserves the right to cancel the registration of any individual who fails to meet the event’s participation requirements.
Health Conditions:
Participants must not have a medical history of cardiovascular diseases, epilepsy, asthma, or any other conditions that may affect continuous physical activity.
Participants must ensure their legs are fully functional and free from recent injuries prior to the event. Adequate training is strongly recommended.
Participants must consent to receive medical assistance from the event’s medical team and the Organizing Committee if necessary.
Accurate Information: Participants must provide complete and accurate personal details, health status, and fitness level for race participation.
Medical Support: Participants must agree to accept emergency medical aid if they are unable to continue the race.
Acknowledgment of Risks: Athletes acknowledge that participating in the Trang An Marathon 2026 is a physically demanding activity and confirm they have undergone proper training and health preparation. The Organizing Committee shall not be held liable for any physical, mental, or material damages incurred during the event.
The Organizing Committee strongly advises against participation for individuals with heart conditions, asthma, chronic illnesses, or those undergoing medical treatment.
2. Registration
Online Registration: TBU
Address: Vu Media Joint Stock Company, N2D Building, Le Van Luong Street, Yen Hoa Ward, Hanoi City, Vietnam.
Registration & Refund Policy: Once registration is successfully processed, the registration fee is non-refundable for any reason, including but not limited to cases where the Event is cancelled due to force majeure, such as:
Natural disasters: Storms, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, or pandemics leading to government bans on mass gatherings.
Security or terrorism incidents: Riots, terrorist attacks, armed conflicts, or war.
Government decisions: National mourning periods or official bans on public events.
Changes & Transfers: Participants may transfer their slot or change their race distance for a fee of 100,000 VND per transfer/change.
If the new distance has a higher registration fee, participants must pay the difference.
No refunds will be given if the new distance has a lower registration fee.
All transfer/distance change requests must be submitted before October 28, 2026. No changes will be accepted after this deadline.
Personal Information Updates: Participants may correct personal details (phone number, date of birth, email, emergency contact, etc.) free of charge until November 12, 2026. No further edits will be permitted after this date.
Late Registrations (After October 24, 2026): Late registrations will receive a blank BIB (no personalized name) and must start in the last corral.
Starting Rules (Pen):
Distance: 42KM
Pen A – Finish Time:
– Under 3 hours
– From 3 hours to 3 hours 15 minutes
– From 3 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes
Pen B – Finish Time:
– From 3 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes
– From 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours
Pen C – Finish Time:
– From 4 hours to 4 hours 30 minutes
– From 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours
– Over 5 hours
Distance: 21KM
Pen A – Finish Time:
– Under 1 hour 30 minutes
– From 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes
Pen B – Finish Time: From 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours
Pen C – Finish Time: From 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes
Pen D – Finish Time:
– From 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes
– Over 2 hours 30 minutes
Distance: 10KM
Pen A – Finish Time:
– Under 40 minutes
– From 40 minutes to 50 minutes
– From 50 minutes to 1 hour
Pen B – Finish time: Over 1 hour
Distance: 5KM
Pen A – Finish time:
– Under 17 minutes
– From 17 minutes to 25 minutes
Pen B – Finish time: Over 25 minutes
Estimated Finish Time Requirement: All participants must provide their Estimated Finish Time during registration.
PEN Registration for 42KM and 21KM Distances
For athletes registering for PEN A:
Two (02) months prior to the Event, the Organizer will send an email requesting athletes to submit proof of performance corresponding to the Estimated Finish Time declared during registration. Athletes are required to provide a valid performance certificate* for the Organizer’s review and for appropriate start corral (PEN) assignment.
In the event that a valid performance certificate is not provided, the athlete will be assigned to the last starting PEN.
Submission deadline: 24 October 2026.
Valid Race Certification*: Must be from an official race with electronic chip timing (no virtual races, training logs, or unofficial events).
Only results from April 01, 206 onwards are accepted.
3. Registration Documentation Requirements
For Provincial/City/National Team Athletes: Must submit registration using the official form with the official stamp/seal from their governing sports authority confirming their athlete status.
For Individual Runners: Register through the following platforms: TBU
Participation Capacity: The event is expected to accommodate up to 10,000 athletes.
II. Time, place of the race
1. Place (Expected)
Location: Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Tay Hoa Lu ward, Ninh Binh province, Vietnam
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/s48uF8yZrojD2Ku29
2. Time (Expected)
November 14th 2026, at 8am – 9pm
Race Kit Pick-up Area opened
Opening Ceremony
Booth activities provide information about the event
Other event activities
November 15th, 2026
04:30 am: 42KM Athletes start
05:45 am: 21KM Athletes start
06:15 am: 10KM Athletes start
06:35 am: 5KM Athletes start
08:05 am: Course 5KM closes
08:45 am: Course 10KM closes
09:15 am: Course 21KM closes
10:00 – 11:00 am: Closing Ceremony
11:00 am: Course 42KM closes
11:30 am: Drop-off counter closes – End of event
Participants: Elite Athletes, recreational runners and people in Ninh Binh Province
Cut-off time: The athletes must be able to complete the race, from the start line to the finish line, within the time period below:
42KM: maximum completion time is 6 hours 30 minutes.
21KM: maximum completion time is 3 hours 30 minutes.
10KM: maximum completion time is 2 hours 30 minutes.
5KM: maximum completion time is 1 hour 30 minutes.
Athletes must give priority to medical staff and ambulances throughout the race regardless of their position on the track.
During the race, all runners are expected to behave in a professional and courteous manner. Do not use profanity, quarrel, insult, have unsportsmanlike behavior towards other athletes. Anyone who violates will be disqualified.
All acts of littering, environmental damage, etc. are strictly prohibited. The athletes are responsible for protecting the environment around the race.
Athletes must wear a shirt (including the BIB number) during the competition. It must be clear at all times.
III. Prize and other regulations
1. Prize – Expected
Overall Prizes:
5KM – Expected Prizes: First/Second/Third Place (Male, Female)
10KM – Expected Prizes: First/Second/Third Place (Male, Female)
21KM – Expected Prizes: First/Second/Third Place (Male, Female)
42KM – Expected Prizes: First/Second/Third Place (Male, Female)
Age Group Prizes for the 42KM Race:
Under 30 Age – Expected Prizes: First/Second/Third Place (Male, Female)
30 – 39 Age – Expected Prizes: First/Second/Third Place (Male, Female)
40 – 49 Age – Expected Prizes: First/Second/Third Place (Male, Female)
50 – 59 Age – Expected Prizes: First/Second/Third Place (Male, Female)
Over 60 age – Expected prizes: First/Second/Third (Male, Female)
2. Monitoring the track
Runners must be present at the start area within the time specified by the Organizer. Runners arriving more than 15 minutes late after the Start time will not be allowed into the start area and will be marked as DNS (Did Not Start).
Athletes who leave the track will not be allowed to return for any purpose. Athletes who intentionally shorten the track by “taking shortcuts” will be disqualified from the race. Cheating acts will be evidenced by the race referee, the Organizing Committee members and the security equipment recording.
Athletes participating in the race without the official BIB code of the event, without a timing device or timing device that is not their own will be disqualified and excluded from the following races of the Organizing Committee.
Athletes are not allowed to receive any support by means of transportation with wheels or engines while in the racing condition. Except for athletes with disabilities with the permission of the Organizing Committee.
Athletes who do not complete the race or who violate any of the race rules during the race will be marked as ‘DNF’ and will not receive a medal, nor will their race results be recognized.
Athletes are not allowed to bring explosives, flammable substances, compressed gases, toxic substances and anything that may cause danger or inconvenience to others onto the race track.
Athletes are strictly prohibited from using doping substances and any food or pharmaceutical products listed as banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Doping tests may be required for overall winners (all distances) and age-group winners (42KM).
Athletes are not allowed to wear clothing that contains offensive imagery, violates Vietnamese cultural norms, or includes content that is anti-government, anti-people, or unrelated to the official program approved by the Organizing Committee.
The use of any form of stimulants, narcotics, or substances that artificially enhance excitement or performance during the race is strictly forbidden.
3. Competition results
Competition results will be recorded by a timekeeping device mounted on the BIB. Beginning when the athletes crosses the start line and stops when crosses the finish line.
Final prize: first, second, third, Male and Female for distances 5KM, 10KM, 21KM, 42KM: recorded according to Guntime
(Guntime is the end time of the race calculated from the moment the starting gun explodes until the athlete crosses the finish line, regardless of the time the athlete starts)
Male’s and Female’s age group prize at distance of 42KM: recorded according to Chiptime
(Chiptime is the time calculated from the moment the athlete crosses the starting line (when the chip is activated) until the athlete crosses the finish line, not including the time you cross the starting line after the gun explodes)
An athlete may not be recognized as a finisher if:
Wearing more than 2 timekeeping devices.
The athlete’s completion time exceeds the cut-off time.
Abnormal absences on the track confirmed by the referee and recording equipment evidence.
Official results will be announced by the Organizer on the fanpage. Athletes have the right to complain, request verification of their own or other athletes’ results, along with clear evidence. Complaint requests should be sent before November 21, 2026.
Prizes will be officially announced on the day of the competition. All complaints about the results of First, Second and Third prizes with all distances must be made before 11:00 am on November 15, 2026
Athletes win prizes when coming to verify information at the referee counter, required to present original ID/Passport or VNeID level 2 identification.
The Organizer may verify potential prize winners by phone/email and require them to present themselves at the Referee Desk. Athletes who fail to complete the verification process, including but not limited to running with a BIB not registered in their name, may have their race results cancelled.
Athletes are responsible for complying with the regulations and instructions of the Organizer on the track to ensure accurate results.
The decision of the Organizer is final
4. Discipline: Any violations of the event rules and professional regulations will be handled by the Organizing Committee. In serious cases, penalties will be applied in accordance with Decree No. 158/2013/ND-CP dated November 12, 2013 by the Government on administrative sanctions in the fields of culture, sports, tourism, and advertising.
5. Force majeure
The Organizer is not responsible when the race is canceled or postponed due to force majeure.
The Organizer has the right to make changes to the rules and regulations of the race and will be notified to the athletes in writing, email or at the scene before the race takes place.
The Organizer has the full right to use the information provided by the participants and the images, videos of the race for legal purposes in advertising, exhibitions… to promote the race
Each athlete is responsible for understanding and complying with the rules of the race, violation will be disqualified
Only the Organizer has the right to update the Charter if necessary. For tenors not included in the charter, the final decision belongs to the Organizer.
Athletes need to prepare:
Authorized representatives need to prepare:
– Please submit your request Fanpage Trang An Marathon
– Alternatively, you can email tranganmarathon@vrace.vn; or contact the organizing committee hotline at 098 639 98 42 for guidance.
The Organizing Committee supports Athletes in changing distances (increasing or decreasing), specifically:
Athletes who are unable to participate but wish to transfer their registration slot to another athlete, please follow these steps: