Runner Nguyen Thanh Chung - Nguyen Chung Gmp and the runs filled with humanity in the fiery land of Quang Tri

Runner Nguyen Thanh Chung experienced a journey of many emotions in Quang Tri.

The National Marathon and Long Distance Championship organized by Tien Phong newspaper, often called Tien Phong Marathon, always brings full emotions and touches to runners, especially amateur runners.

Early in the morning of March 30, 2025, more than 7,000 runners walked on every road, through every alley of Quang Tri land to feel the sacredness of independence, freedom, peace and happiness. Quang Tri is called the "land of fire" because every inch of land, river, and place name here bears the mark of a time of bombs and bullets; suffering much pain, sacrifice and loss, witnessing many cruel and destructive scenes of war.

To have the peace and independence of today, so that runners can stride on every street, more than 20,000 soldiers have heroically sacrificed, of which the Truong Son martyrs cemetery has only gathered more than 10,000 graves. And somewhere on the runners' running routes, there are still the blood, bones and remains of these soldiers.

Boat to Thach Han, row gently

My friend is still there at the bottom of the river.

At the age of twenty, I blend in with the waves.

Peaceful shore forever

The verse of veteran Le Ba Duong kept echoing in my mind as I took my first steps on the running track. I respectfully bow to the souls of the heroic martyrs who sacrificed so that our young generation can run freely.

On the 42km route, the group of runners suddenly passed the gate of the Highway 9 Cemetery. Without anyone telling them, the whole group stopped solemnly, put their hands on their chests and sang the national anthem in front of the Highway 9 Cemetery gate . “The flag is printed with the blood of victory, carrying the soul of the country”. I have sung the Vietnamese national anthem countless times, but when I stood in front of the Highway 9 Cemetery gate and sang this line, I felt like an electric current ran through my body. There was something extremely sacred, like enlightenment in my head. Just like that, every step I took was filled with deep gratitude.

We, the amateur runners, always understand that the marathon only starts at km 32 when the body needs to fight against muscle fatigue to complete the distance. At this moment, I remember the photo at the Citadel Museum with the smiles of young soldiers before the battle. Although he has passed away, his smile is still here. The smile is like a spiritual medicine for runners.

In addition to the spiritual medicine from the souls of the soldiers who sacrificed to protect the land of fire Quang Tri, runners also received enthusiastic and warm cheers from the people of Quang Tri. There were sections of the road where people brought trays, pots and pans to cheer for the runners. There were sections of the road where everyone from the elderly to children eagerly waited for the runners to pass by to give them high fives full of love. The police and militia, the forces on duty to protect the security of the running route always sent runners warm smiles. Even at a center for children in difficult circumstances, the children stood in the rain and cold wind to welcome the runners. The fatigue seemed to disappear after each high five, each smile was still warm. There were also sections of the road where the people sang the song "As if Uncle Ho were here on the day of great victory".

Quang Tri people braved the rain, poured into the streets to cheer, encourage, and fuel the runners to conquer the challenge. Photo: Tien Phong

Just like that, each stage of the journey was conquered one by one. The songs “My life is a march. My life is a soldier’s song” along the poetic Hieu Giang River seemed to dispel fatigue and bring vitality to the runners.

Just like that, runners from all over the country gradually conquered the journey in the heroic land of Quang Tri. Km 40 was finally completed, An Lac bridge was the last challenge for runners before reaching the finish line. It was strange when running up An Lac bridge, in my head echoed the lyrics of the song An la tho Lac la di by Zen Master Lang Mai.

Peace when breathing, lost when walking

An is to breathe, Lac is to go, is to go

And just like that, across An Lac bridge, I raced away singing a song of triumph.

Tien Phong Marathon 2025 in me has been completed like that.

Grateful, proud, emotional, warm and imbued with humanity in the land of fire Quang Tri.

After the end of Tien Phong Marathon 66 in Quang Tri, there were many complaints about the tournament on social media, such as lack of water in the first 10km, lack of street lights in the dark, unprofessional volunteers, and cramped bib distribution and luggage drop-off areas.

I think to have a Quang Tri like today, to have a route for runners from all provinces and cities in the S-shaped land to gather here in the atmosphere of independence and freedom, we need to appreciate and be grateful for what the people of Quang Tri had to go through, had to sacrifice during the war to bring independence to the country like today.

Don't ask what the Fatherland has done for us

But need to ask what we have done for the country today.

Quang Tri March 30, 2025.

See you again at Tien Phong Marathon 67 – Nha Trang 2026.

Nguyen Thanh Chung

Source: https://tienphong.vn/runner-nguyen-thanh-chung-nguyen-chung-gmp-va-nhung-buoc-chay-tham-dam-tinh-nguoi-noi-dat-lua-quang-tri-post1729985.tpo