Vietnam’s 80-year-old runner and his passion for chasing miles

From a farmer accustomed to the steady pace of rural life, Ba has become a dedicated runner, conquering challenging courses in races of all sizes across the country.

Beyond personal achievements, his journey has inspired a spirit of healthy and positive living among generations of his family.

Conquering nearly 20 races

Each morning, while the countryside is still asleep, Ba laces up his shoes and heads out for a run.

In a simple pair of sneakers and a sweat-dampened shirt, the small but sturdy 80-year-old has become a familiar sight on village roads, part of the rhythm of his daily life.

Ba recalled that in 2022, he accompanied his son to a race in Quy Nhon in the former Binh Dinh Province, which is now part of Gia Lai Province.

Standing at the starting line among hundreds, even thousands, of runners for the first time, he felt both surprised and curious.

What stayed with him was the atmosphere, the steady rhythm of footsteps, cheers from spectators, and the smiles exchanged along the course.

“At first I just wanted to see what it was like,” he said. “But then I realized how enjoyable it was, and I wanted to challenge myself.”

Since then, Ba has made running part of his daily routine.

He trains at his own pace, without worrying about results, gradually building up from short runs to longer distances as he listens to his body.

Through regular training and participation in races in Nha Trang, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, and Ly Son Island, Ba gradually pushed his limits.

He began with the 5km distance, later moved up to 10km, and now runs 21km.

Those numbers reflect not only endurance but also the fearless spirit of an octogenarian who continues to challenge himself.

At the National Marathon Championship held in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province in late March, Ba completed the 21km course in three hours and six minutes.

The image of the cheerful and energetic senior man crossing the finish line surprised many and left spectators both moved and inspired.

Asked about his secret, Ba simply smiled. “There’s nothing special,” he said. “Just persistence.”

For him, stepping outside for a run each day, even when his body feels tired or sore, is already a victory if he can push beyond himself.

Ba does not focus on achievements or finishing times. What matters to him is maintaining an active lifestyle, an optimistic spirit, and stable health.

Inspiring generations

The person who helped open this journey for Ba was his son, Phan Hoang Nguyen, 37.

Nguyen was the one who searched for races, signed up, and accompanied his father from the very beginning.

He was also the one who witnessed the most visible changes in him.

“At first, the family was worried because my father is already quite old,” Nguyen said.

“But after his first race and months of training, we gradually saw his health improve, and his mood become more positive, so everyone felt reassured.”

What surprised Nguyen most was not that his father kept joining more races, but the way he spread that spirit to the people around him.

From someone once accompanied by his son, Ba soon became the one inspiring his children and grandchildren to lace up their shoes and start running.

Today, whenever a race takes place, family members arrange to participate in different categories.

Children and grandchildren alike have become enthusiastic runners.

Joining Ba on many of these routes is also a special companion, his in-law Nguyen Dinh Viet, 67, from Nha Trang.

In the mornings, the two set out together, chatting as they run along the roads.

During races, they stay side by side, reminding each other to keep their pace and conserve their strength.

“It’s more enjoyable when you have someone running with you, and it’s easier to keep going,” Viet said.

“Sometimes just seeing that we can still run together is already a great source of motivation.”

Their companionship is simple but enduring, much like the way they maintain their health and spirit each day in their later years.

And along those running routes, Ba’s footsteps continue quietly forward, forming a new rhythm of life, slow, steady, and full of vitality.