Vietnamese Runner U70 runs 160 km to welcome the new year

Hai Phong Pham Van Cuong (63 years old) ran 160 km in 18 hours 37 minutes, pace 6:59 to welcome the new year 2024 and call for support for children in difficult circumstances.

Not in an official race, Mr. Pham Van Cuong conquered this milestone right in the Hoang Huy apartment complex (Hai Phong). On a route of only 2 km, he made a total of 80 laps. Runner U70 started at 3:00 p.m. on December 30 and finished at 12:00 p.m. on December 31, with the support of members of the Hoang Huy Runners Club.

Tracklog of Mr. Pham Van Cuong's 160 km run. Photo: Screenshot of Strava character

"When I reached the finish line, I felt fine, only my legs were sore from running for so long. After a deep sleep, I felt much better," said Mr. Cuong after finishing the half-day journey.

Not only is this a New Year event, this activity of Mr. Cuong aims to call for charity, support children in difficult circumstances in An Dong commune, An Duong district, Hai Phong city to have a warm and prosperous Tet. After temporary statistics, more than 30 million VND was donated after the event.

"I find it meaningful to have a personal record, motivating the children in the club to practice and being able to support less fortunate children," said Mr. Cuong.

The moment Mr. Cuong completed the challenge. Photo: NVCC

At the age of 63, Pham Van Cuong is called a "mutant" by the running community in Hai Phong because of his endurance, will, and impressive achievements. In early 2023, after completing the 70km Cuc Phuong trail run, seeing that his body was still normal, Pham Cuong came up with the idea of ​​trying to conquer the 100km distance, to see his limits.

He said that day his wife was away, being home alone was boring, not knowing what to do, so he put on his shoes and did a total of 50 laps in the apartment complex yard. He started at 3 p.m. and finished at 1:30 a.m. the next day. "Just putting on my shoes and going out to run, listening to my heartbeat, listening to my body makes me extremely happy, no matter how many times the route repeats," the U70 runner shared. From the time Mr. Cuong ran the Cuc Phuong race to the day he took on the 100 km challenge, there was only 2 weeks between.

In 2023, he participated in seven races organized by VnExpress Marathon, 21km distance. As a result, the U70 runner ranked first in his age group all seven times and set a personal record at the VnExpress Marathon tournament in his hometown, taking place on December 17, with a time of 1 hour 32 minutes.

For many runners, to achieve the above achievements, it takes at least three years of training, gradually increasing the distance. But for the mutant Pham Van Cuong, everything started with the VnExpress Marathon Ha Long, taking place in July 2022. At that time, a friend saw that Mr. Cuong often exercised so he invited him to go running.

"My achievement in my first race was more than 4 hours, at the top of my age group, but because the Bib was not my real owner, I did not receive the prize," he said.

Mr. Cuong is the winner of the over 60 age group in the 21km distance at VM Hai Phong 2023. Photo: VM

Entering the "running business" at an old age, Mr. Cuong does not run haphazardly but chooses the tournament and distance so that he can shine. "I can run 42km but with a pace of 5, 6, I cannot win against opponents like Vo Kinh. So I only register for half marathon to maintain the leading position. That is the way for me to create joy and motivation on my journey of running and taking care of my health", Pham Cuong shared.

Not only does Mr. Cuong run alone, he also manages to get his wife to run with him. At VnExpress Marathons, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thoi often runs alongside her husband. She is also a familiar name in the top age group of 50 to 59. Mrs. Thoi's best result is 1 hour 53 minutes at VnExpress Marathon Hai Phong.

The spirit, effort and perseverance of Mr. Cuong and Mrs. Thoi are role models for runners living around Hoang Huy apartment complex. Regardless of winter or summer, rain or shine, they can always see the couple running together in the yard from 4:30 am.

Currently, Mr. Cuong runs over 10 km every day. There were times when he ran 90 half marathons and 30 full marathons in a row. "Now when I race, I only run half marathons. If I run shorter distances, I feel uncomfortable, my legs are always craving, it's a waste," he said with a laugh.

Ms. Thoi (HPR shirt) runs the VM Hai Phong 2023 race. Photo: VM

The entire training program for the couple was researched and planned by Mr. Cuong himself. "In my spare time, I will sit and research techniques and exercises on the internet and read and watch documents from runners around the world and then apply them to suit myself." The family's nutrition regimen is also strictly controlled by Mrs. Thoi. All the food the couple uses is purchased from reputable sources, ensuring cleanliness and balance of nutrients.

At the age of U70, Mr. Cuong occasionally goes to the doctor for check-ups to check on his heart health. "My heart is still fine, my circulatory and respiratory systems are still good. I still measure my heart rate and blood pressure every day at home to control the indicators. If I didn't run, it would be difficult for me to maintain my current health and spirit," said Mr. Cuong.

In the new year, the U70 runner said he will continue to challenge himself with higher goals, while maintaining his top 1 position in the age group for the HM distance in the most recent tournament, the Ho Chi Minh City night run held on March 3.

Thanh Lan

Source link: https://vnexpress.net/runner-viet-u70-chay-160-km-chao-nam-moi-4689448.html