Standard Chartered Hanoi Marathon - Heritage Race

I was sick and couldn't run, I had bought a refundable ticket and followed the process. But the refund company kept saying I didn't put all the information needed. Very disappointing experience. As marathon runners, we don't cancel a race by pleasure and without a good reason.

Flat fast route, nice cool weather at start, warmed up just a wee bit before finish, little humid but not so high to dehydrate, overall nice experience my first race in Vietnam. Friendly people, both runners and cheering crowd ( mostly seen closer to the finish line). Agewise category last one was 50 +. That does not give competitive advantage to super seniors, self is 71 years...and there were 216 in 50+ category. Need to rethink defining senior categories, lol!

I run to stay happy and healthy. Guess same true for most other runners :). Full marathon needs lots training and logging weekly miles if one is vain like me and used to cracking sub 4 ( am 5 times Boston Qualifier 2011 - 2015 ). Now I run and see the world, hardly train but enough history in legs of running 40 FM races between 2010 and 2015 so HM comes easy and at 71 am still a sub 2 runner. That keeps my motivation high and helps stay fit. Thus my journey shift from FM to HM.

Flat n Fast route. Bit humid but that's the fun ending sweaty wet ready for a massage and cold shower :) Mostly local runners, very few farangs/from other countries. But amazing how the co runners cheered old me, wud ask my age and then exclaim wow! 71!! Very good you are winner they wud shout, that more than made up for lack of public cheering enroute. Thoughtfully creatively designed lovely medal in gold colour, one side etched Opera House with National flag, other side row of One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quac Pagoda and Quan Su Temple, a collector's medal you would treasure. Nice post run arrangements, music, refreshments and massage tents. Ending on lake front thats so scenic and you see local folks come down for sunday picnic with friends and family. Beautiful!. and on lake front lots tents set up selling anywhere from pins to food to jewellery to local artefacts to organic vegetables et al...most of it locally produced/made/created. Great way get a taste of real Vietnam. Likely come back again, stay few days post the race as lots to explore Hanoi and surrounding districts..and meet its welcoming smiling lovely folks.

Am 71, ran in last age (senior) category that was 50+, ended with 1.54.39...cat rank 20/217, overall 543/6644...guess if there was cat 70+ would have been a winner...perhaps solo runner, haha!! Jokes apart, returning home happy am still a sub 2 HM runner. Thank You Hanoi.

Cháu rất thích vì cháu đươc chạy cùng anh Bi, anh Kiên, chị Tú. Ở đường rất đông vui.

Moi, un coureur de 64 ans, a reçu une très bonne hospitalisation de l'Organisateur, du renseignement en ligne, à la journée de reprise du kit de course et même à la course. J'aime beaucoup la route à Hanoi car elle passe nombreux sites historiques attirant, sous les ombres d'arbre et le bon temps d'automne. Ayant l'occasion, je suis sur d'y reprendre la course. Merci!

Hanoi is the second place I participated in Vietnam after Halong Bay but my impression was the same. Volunteers and Vietnamese runners cheered me up to get to finish line. I tell to myself to be once again in Hanoi race atmosphere and conquer further distance.

I met a little trouble with some motobikes on the road but right after that I forgot it and put all of my attention to old but beautiful sites in Hanoi, really loved it.

Không khí buổi chạy như 1 lễ hội lớn giữa lòng hồ Gươm. Trong tiết trời thu Hà Nội, buổi chạy của tôi cùng chồng và 2 con gái đã diễn ra thật tuyệt vời, 1 dịp để cả gia đình tôi cùng trải nghiệm bên nhau. Cảm ơn BTC!

I loved cheerful crowds of supporters and of runners around me. My pleasure to chill with beautiful Hanoi and lovely weather. I'll be back for further distance. Wait for me, VPBank race!

J’ai participé à ce course par hasard quand j’étais en voyage d’affaire à Hanoi. Mais la route m’a vraiment rendu surpris. La belle route qui passe de nombreux beaux sites de Hanoi, des lacs, un long pont de Longbien … m’a dit de falloir revenir encore des fois pour ce course. Je le partagerai à mes amis ! Absolument !

I was surprised by cheerful crowds which are all well-known running teams in Hanoi. Photographers all along the route made me feel like in spotlight. See you next time with FM!

I joined in race last October 2019. The race was able to capture the different tourist attractions of Hanoi. The organizers and volunteers were very helpful. Guidelines and information are sent in given and announced in social media, so you will be given all the details you need for this race. As you will be running in the main roads of Hanoi, please expect that the roads are narrow and not smooth-- not necessarily "race-friendly" but would make a good destination run. Will run there again if given an opportunity.

Terrible organization ! I ran the 42 km and 2 times we were send on a wrong way !!!... So we finally ran 44,7 km !!! Unbelievable for a marathon ran in the capital of Vietnam !

My first overseas marathon. Enjoyed myself thoroughly. Well organised. Route can be better as some of the road is uneven and traffic along side is not safe for runners.

10km is doable for a 56 years old lady! This is my 3rd 10km marathon run and is my first overseas run. I am proud of my achievement for clocking my personal best at Hanoi Heritage Marathon. See you next year!

At around 33km I was supposed to cross a bridge but the staff asked me to keep going, I didn't realize I skipped 6km until I saw the lake and realized I only ran 36km! The route around the west lake and the final 2km route was not organized I often compete the road with motorbike & car. Comparing to other places that I ran, I think the organizer should ensure runner can focus on running (especially high speed runner) instead of wasting time working on traffic and/or crossing a road.