HDBank Green Marathon 2026: Can Gio to wear the green color of environmentally-friendly running strides

Four seasons have passed, and the green laurel wreaths have left footprints of thousands of community athletes on the land of Can Gio – where the mangrove forest is recognized by UNESCO as a world biosphere reserve. On the morning of September 21, 2026, the HDBank Green Marathon will enter its fifth season, carrying the message "Green strides and digital life" – an ambitious combination of community sports, ecological responsibility, and digital transformation in the banking sector. About two years ago, when I had the chance to sit with a sports event organizer in Ho Chi Minh City, he said that an environmentally-themed running race would never reach international status without a sufficiently large media push. But HDBank Green Marathon chose a different path: they did not invite international athletics stars to heat up the track, but instead built a sustainable ecosystem from the local people. This year, the race continues to affirm that philosophy – no elite performance tables were published, no record-breaking races, but rather a full-fledged playground for all ages: from children running 1 km to community athletes conquering the 42 km marathon distance. The truth is, I found no technical parameters regarding altitude, wind speed, or average temperature of the Can Gio mangrove trail in the official introduction documents. But thanks to AIMS certification (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races), the entire system of distances has been precisely measured according to international standards. From my experience following road running events, an AIMS-certified route is not just a technical passport but also a commitment to the safety of participants. That matters far more than a national record set on a flat road but lacking a connection to nature. This year's Can Gio route is expected to pass through strips of mangrove forests, small creeks, and long beaches – a terrain that is iconic for the mangrove ecosystem. However, this very diversity creates a silent challenge for runners: sand may sink on some stretches, tree roots may protrude from the surface, and the high humidity of the coastal climate makes maintaining rhythm an art. But I believe that for community runners, it is precisely these variables that make each stride memorable. No race brings a sense of serenity like a race in the heart of a mangrove forest, where you hear birds instead of car horns. This year's race is accompanied by the People's Committee of Can Gio District, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, and especially the Ho Chi Minh City Athletics Federation – the professional body acting as the technical sponsor. This is not a playground within the Olympic selection system or the national championship, but a community event open to everyone. In the context of Vietnamese athletics seeking young talents from local races, maintaining a large-scale race for the fifth consecutive year is a positive signal for the sustainable development of the running movement. Looking back over five seasons, HDBank Green Marathon has planted more than 2,000 trees – a number fully recorded through official communication campaigns. This year, the organizing committee continues to roll out green activities such as planting trees in protective forests, cleaning beaches, and encouraging athletes to use environmentally friendly products. This goes beyond a mere race; it creates a cultural – sports – ecological value intertwined together. When I interviewed some athletes who participated in the third season, they said the green shirt they received after crossing the finish line was not just a memory, but also a reminder of their responsibility to the environment. The most impressive highlight of this season is the digital integration – "Green Marathon online" – a virtual race designed to extend the engagement time of participants before and after the main event day. HDBank, as the main sponsor, will deliver technological experiences through its digital banking application, including features such as eKYC online identity verification, integrated registration portals, and a virtual athlete community. This not only simplifies the registration process but also creates a platform for participants to track their training progress and interact with each other – like a social network for running enthusiasts. For someone who has witnessed the transformation of Asian sports, I believe that the model pursued by HDBank Green Marathon is an inevitable direction for the future. Races are not merely a sports festival; they are a brand touchpoint, a community-building tool, and a long-term marketing strategy. HDBank – a bank with more than 36 years of operation in the financial sector – has chosen sports as a way to connect with society, and sports responds by spreading their corporate cultural values. So, the name "Green Marathon" speaks not only of the greenness of the mangrove forest but also of a sustainable development strategy. Some might say that a community race lacks the depth of analysis that a national championship provides. But I disagree. I remember in 2026, when I wrote about the Moroccan national team at the World Cup, I did not focus on attacking superstars but analyzed how they defended as a collective declaration. Likewise, HDBank Green Marathon does not need a hero crossing the finish line to create a sports story. The very presence of thousands of residents – lottery ticket sellers running 5 km, school children running 1 km alongside their parents, office workers conquering their first half marathon – is the most beautiful picture. The estimated number of participants (several thousand) may not hold statistical value compared to an international marathon, but it carries a profound humanitarian significance. One of the factors that makes me appreciate this race is the transparency of data. In my analyses, I always seek verifiable data sources – and HDBank Green Marathon has provided fairly complete figures about the environmental impact of previous seasons. Notably, the fourth season contributed a large number of planted trees in Can Gio and organized beach cleanup activities. This year, a commitment to plant 500 additional mangrove trees in the biosphere reserve is seen as a concrete goal. This shows that sustainable development goals are not merely on paper but are realized year after year. For those who value competitive aspects, this race may not meet expectations due to the absence of well-known athletes. But if we look at the goal of a country developing its mass sports foundation, such a crowded and environmentally friendly event holds immense significance. In my view, to achieve elite athletic results, we first need a generation of youth who develop a habit of exercising. The children's races – a familiar category within HDBank Green Marathon – are the seeds of future talent. The presence of families on race day will create a healthy sporting environment, impossible to measure with medals. I once posed a question to an HDBank representative during an online discussion: why Can Gio? His answer made me reflect: "Can Gio is the green lung of the city. We want every stride of an athlete to be a breath contributing to the life of the forest." That is an inspirational statement, but to turn it into reality, the organizers have adopted strict standards for safety management and environmental protection. From placing biodegradable hydration stations to limiting plastic waste, everything has been meticulously planned. In the context of the global sports economy witnessing the strong growth of community races, Vietnam – with its running boom over the past decade – can fully leverage this advantage. However, some races in Vietnam still make basic mistakes such as inaccurate distance measurement, inadequate medical stations along the course, or no post-race waste management plan. With HDBank Green Marathon, the AIMS certification is a valuable difference. It not only reassures athletes technically but also enhances the race's position on the Asian marathon map. Another plus is the close coordination with local authorities. In preparation, the organizing committee worked with departments and agencies, especially transport authorities, to finalize traffic diversion plans – minimizing disruption to local residents on race day. This shows a professional approach that not every community race in Vietnam achieves. I have attended many international marathons in Bangkok or Singapore, where city authorities treat race day as a community festival, and I see HDBank Green Marathon doing the same. If I had to choose an image to describe this year's race, I would think of children running in the early morning sun with bare feet and shirts printed with a white egret. Those children will not know that, years later, they could become professional athletes or lifelong sports enthusiasts. But those green seeds are being planted in their souls. And when I write about this race, I write about a generation of Vietnamese people seeking a better lifestyle – not just through numbers but through a shift in perception. Before closing my analysis, I want to add a few words about the term "marathon" in the race's name. Usually, a marathon is a symbolic name for perseverance and surpassing one's limits. But for HDBank, the marathon seems to be a metaphor for their own enduring journey – a journey of community contribution for more than three decades. When an enterprise places its logo next to the image of a runner, it is not merely promoting a brand; it is sharing a story of persistence and commitment. And I believe that in a market where brands often chase short-term trends, maintaining a race for five consecutive years is clear proof of a long-term vision. Can Gio, a land once known for its wartime sacrifices, is now a place for everyone to explore and enjoy extraordinary natural beauty. Bringing a race to a world biosphere reserve is not simple. But that is the mission of sports – breaking boundaries, connecting people and nature. I have written that "passes are life choices" in a football article, but for running, I would perhaps write, "each step is a choice of lifestyle." And for HDBank Green Marathon, that choice is a green one. See you all at Can Gio – a place where September air is not only fresh from the late-season rains, but also fresh from the love of strangers united through every stride.