This year's race, the third of its kind, will feature five categories, including Full Marathon (42.195km), Half Marathon (21.0975km), 10km, 5km, and the 2.1km Kid Dash for children, organisers announced at the event's official launch in Hanoi on July 22.

A new feature of the 2026 season is the introduction of the Enterprise Cup, a competition dedicated specifically to the business community. The winning team will be awarded a trip to participate in the Standard Chartered Shanghai 10KM Run in Shanghai, China, thereby opening up opportunities for Vietnam to connect with the international running community.

In addition, accompanying activities such as the Race Expo, Leaders Run, and various networking programmes will be organised to create a platform for interaction among businesses, organisations, and running lovers.

Addressing the July 22 launch ceremony, Nguyen Tri Man, director of the marathon’s Strategy and Market Development, noted that the race not only delivers a professional and safe tournament where athletes can achieve their best results but also serves as a bridge for spreading positive values such as a civilised lifestyle, a spirit of solidarity, and environmental awareness.

In line with the commitment to sustainable development, organisers also unveiled the 2026 Race Shirt manufactured from fibers derived from recycled materials. This initiative helps minimise plastic waste, encourages responsible consumption, and supports Vietnam’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

A wide range of community programmes will be conducted during the 2026 edition. The "Shoes of Hope" programme encourages runners to donate running shoes, which will be cleaned and distributed to children and disadvantaged communities in remote areas across Vietnam.

The "Light Up The Way" programme will continue to support visually impaired runners by connecting them with volunteer guides and providing appropriate support measures. These initiatives help foster a spirit of sharing and create opportunities for everyone to access and participate in sports.

Another highlight of this year's season is the selection of Long Bien Bridge as the official heritage symbol for the 2026 Standard Chartered Hanoi Heritage Marathon. The image of this century-old bridge is not only deeply intertwined with the history and memories of the capital but also embodies a message of connection, linking the past with the present, sports with culture and tourism, and the Vietnamese community with international friends.

In particular, the Standard Chartered Hanoi Heritage Marathon continues to be part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors Age Group Ranking System, allowing eligible runners to use their results to qualify for entry into some of the world's most prestigious marathons, including Boston, Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City and Sydney.

Standard Chartered Marathon Heritage Race set for November

VOV.VN - The Standard Chartered Hanoi Marathon Heritage Race is set to take place from November 6 to 9, offering participants a route through heritage sites and iconic landmarks across the capital.