Binh Dinh Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuc finished after 1 hour 33 minutes 20 seconds, ranking second in the age group of 21km at VnExpress Marathon Sparkling Quy Nhon 2023.
Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuc (born in 1990) is a track and field athlete - who holds the national record for the 20km race walk. With her existing background, it was not difficult for her to quickly integrate into the half marathon race at VnExpress Marathon Sparkling Quy Nhon on the morning of June 11.
When she arrived at the starting line at 4am, Thanh Phuc attracted the attention of many people. Some runners came to take photos and chat with the SEA Games champion. After more than an hour and 33 minutes, she completed the first 21km distance amid cheers and encouragement from the MC and audience.
Sharing after completing the race, Thanh Phuc said he was surprised and impressed by the atmosphere of VnExpress Marathon Quy Nhon. "I didn't expect the atmosphere to be so bustling and exciting. Many runners recognized me and cheered me on throughout the race," Thanh Phuc said.
Thanh Phuc (Bib 82426) takes a photo with runners before the start. Photo: VM
VnExpress Marathon Sparkling Quy Nhon 2023 is the first race in Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuc's life. The athlete from Da Nang said that after completing her national mission at the 32nd SEA Games, she wanted to challenge herself and find new experiences.
"I wanted to see how the atmosphere of a 20km walk race and a 21km run would be different, how the speed, physical strength and spirit would be when running," Thanh Phuc shared. As a result, the female athlete completed VM Quy Nhon in 1 hour 33 minutes 20 seconds, equal to the walking record she set 11 years ago, ranking second in the under 40 age group for the 21km distance.
"After the SEA Games, I only practiced to maintain, not to go deeper and practice running. Today, I ran at an average pace of 4:25/km, which is much slower than my friends who practice running regularly. I don't have good speed and endurance, so winning the age group prize is a blessing. It can be said that running is like walking," Phuc said with a laugh.
Thanh Phuc interacts with runners on Thi Nai bridge. Photo: VM
Although she cannot run faster, the experience on the Quy Nhon race track is something that the female athlete cherishes. "Walking has brought me success and career advancement, but it also brings loneliness. When running, from runners to Quy Nhon residents, volunteers, anyone who recognizes Thanh Phuc calls out her name and cheers her on, so I am not alone," she said.
Besides, running gives her a feeling of comfort and freedom. "Usually when I compete, there will be many referees supervising to catch technical errors, so it is quite stressful," Phuc said. According to the regulations of the walking event, when competing, the athlete's body needs to have a support point on the ground, not flying in the air. If this mistake is made three times, it will be considered a violation and the athlete will be disqualified from the competition.
In walking competitions, Thanh Phuc is always careful, focusing completely on each step, technique and strategy to avoid making the above mistakes. This time, she freely greeted and interacted with runners and spectators on the race track, enjoyed the beautiful scenery along the route and paid attention to turning points and turning around to complete the route according to the regulations of the Organizing Committee.
"Before the race, I looked at the route and the facilities that the organizers had arranged for the athletes. There were many water and medical support stations, so I felt more secure running," she said. Thanh Phuc said that if she had time, she would continue to participate in races like the VnExpress Marathon.
The moment the queen of walking crossed the finish line. Photo: VM
Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuc is an athlete in the race walking event. In 2007, Thanh Phuc won the national race walking event for the first time at the age of 17. She has won the national championship 15 times and 5 SEA Games gold medals. In 2012, she won the bronze medal at the Asian Race Walking Championship in Japan, thereby winning a ticket to the 2012 London Olympics. The national record for the 20km race walking event is also held by Thanh Phuc with a time of 1 hour 33 minutes 36 seconds set at the 2012 London Olympics.
Thanh Lan
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