Marathon in Con Dao: running through painting-like coastal routes while protecting sea turtles

This is the first large-scale running event in Con Dao since becoming a special zone, featuring race distances of 21 km, 10 km, and 5 km. A total of 560 runners of all ages, both Vietnamese and international, joined this year's race.
The 4th Save Turtles Run, hosted by The Secret Con Dao Hotel (AKYN Group), offered not only a memorable sporting experience but also amplified an important message: live green, protect sea turtles, and safeguard the environment.

All race proceeds were donated by The Secret Con Dao to Con Dao National Park to support conservation and recovery efforts for endangered sea turtles.

For Con Dao residents, it had been a long time since the island witnessed such an energizing day—beginning with long lines of participants completing their final check-in procedures the day before the race.

Participants queued for race kit pick-up ahead of the special Sunday marathon on August 17.

In the fresh dawn of Sunday morning—still dark at 4 a.m.—hundreds of runners began their 21 km journey.

Runners eagerly set off along Con Dao’s breathtaking coastal route.

Running along Con Dao’s seaside roads, adults, children, and especially visiting athletes found themselves immersed in majestic nature—mountains on one side, the sea on the other. The lush green paths winding through forests, the cool morning climate, and the environmental message of living green and protecting nature all came together to create a uniquely meaningful race.

One participant dressed as a soldier joined the Save Turtles Run.

Sports beauty queen Doan Thu Thuy on the 10 km coastal course.

Runner Nguyen Quang Hung conquering the 21 km distance.

The sunrise welcoming the runners along the island’s horizon.

Many participants described the experience as “running through the forest”—a rare and special feeling.

The cool early-morning route energized runners from start to finish.

Kento Kabashima on the 21 km course—this year's champion.

Young participants also joined the race, running alongside their parents.

Second Runner-up of Miss Universe Vietnam 2022, Thuy Tien, and Miss Universe Vietnam 2015 Runner-up Le Hang (right) on the course.

The organizers presented a monetary donation to Con Dao National Park to support sea turtle conservation efforts.

Representative of Con Dao National Park (left) together with Sports Beauty Queen Doan Thu Thuy.

According to Le Thi Ngoc Cuong, Communications Director of The Secret Con Dao: “This is a traditional running event in Con Dao, and The Secret will continue to maintain and expand it to raise greater public awareness about sea turtle conservation. This year’s race donated 100 million VND to Con Dao National Park to protect this precious species.”

Con Dao, formerly part of Ba Ria–Vung Tau Province, officially became the only special zone of Ho Chi Minh City on July 1, 2025.

A Special Winner: The Return of Kento Kabashima

On the island, the organizers were pleasantly surprised to reunite with Kento Kabashima, a Japanese runner living and working in Hanoi.

A quick congratulatory clap greeted him—he had just finished first place in the 21 km category. Last year, he won the 10 km race, and this time he claimed the top prize again over a longer distance.

Speaking to Thanh Nien, Kento shared: “I’m very honored to be the first to finish. Yesterday, I met many runners, including familiar faces from last year’s race. I love Con Dao deeply—its nature, air, and people.”

Explaining why he chose this race, Kento said: “I’ve joined many marathons in Vietnam and competed with professional athletes. I train hard, but honestly, I get tired of commercial races. I don’t run for money or trophies. I love traveling, so I choose races that take me to places I want to explore—or races with meaningful concepts. Save Turtles Run is exactly that. Con Dao is very special, and this race supports nature. I hope this place stays beautiful forever, and I want to introduce this untouched paradise to the Japanese.”