Ngoc, 57, said that after 20 years joining numerous marathons, she is no longer nervous before a race, except for this one, which is her first race in Vietnam. The runner was born in HCMC but moved to the U.S. when she was 9.

Nguyen Bich Ngoc at VM Hanoi Midnight's kit pickup area.

"I have special love for the Old Quarter, and want to explore Hanoi at night. I will definitely try some delicious dishes," said Ngoc, whose most recent trip to Hanoi was five years ago.

Ngoc started running at age 35 as she wanted to get in shape after giving birth to her second child.

She gradually found a passion for running, and has participated in 203 marathons in 10 countries, including the Boston Marathon where she completed the full distance in 3 hours and 45 minutes.

Ngoc said more than 200 medals are a collection of experiences. She completed races in all 50 U.S. states, having run in snowy Icelandic winter, and in the sweltering heat of Thailand.

"I feel calm and relaxed while running," she said. She practices running every day as she wants to inspire her two kids to love working out. "I want to teach my children with actions, instead of words."

Ngoc found out about the VM Hanoi Midnight 2022 on a website that lists marathons around the world, and she registered for it as the race date matches her work schedule in Cambodia that borders Vietnam. She signed up for the 10km distance as 42km tickets were sold out.

Nguyen Thi Oanh crowns champion at VP Bank Hanoi Marathon 2022

(BGO) – A ceremony was held on October 16 at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and Hoan Kiem pedestrian street of Hanoi to award and close VP Bank Hanoi Marathon 2022. National track and field athletes like Nguyen Thi Oanh from Bac Giang province and Trinh Quoc Luong won first prizes at various distances.

8,500 runners join Mekong Delta International Marathon

As many as 8,500 runners joined the Vietcombank Mekong Delta International Marathon - Hau Giang 2022 in Vi Thanh city in the morning of July 17.

HCMC holds first ever corgi marathon

A total of 72 dogs participated in HCMC's first ever Corgi Marathon that took place Saturday at Ho Xuan Huong Gymnasium in District 3.

Over 5,000 runners join 2022 Da Nang International Marathon

More than 5,000 runners participated in the 2022 Da Nang International Marathon (DNIM), which officially kicked off at the Bien Dong (East Sea) Park in Son Tra district, in the central coastal city of Da Nang, on March 18.

Source: VnExpress