March 11, 2024
HANOI – Vũ Tiến Mạnh just wanted to stop, give no more effort, and not run even one single centimetre.
But around him people shouted “Go on,” “Move on,” and “Keep running.”
Mạnh came to life, feeling stronger and better. He took a deep breath and ran across the finish line.
He became Việt Nam’s first vision-impaired marathoner, finishing the 42km distance in a time of 3hr 41min at the Hạ Long Bay Heritage Marathon 2023.
“It was November 19. I will never forget the moment when I stepped over the finish line,” Mạnh told Việt Nam News.
“I cried because of happiness and pride. I made my dream come true: becoming a marathoner. More than that, I am the first Vietnamese blind marathoner.”
Running to dream
The medal hangs on a wall in his living room. Next to it is a gold that Mạnh won at a national championship for students with disabilities in 2014.
These two medals tell their owner’s tough journey to being a marathoner.
Born with nystagmus, Mạnh’s visual acuity was almost zero. However, his visual impairment could not prevent him from running.
“To me, the first gold is the most valuable medal. It not only opened a door for me to be a pro athlete but also helped me tell my parents ‘I can make it’,” he said.
Mạnh was a national team member representing Việt Nam at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia.
In his regional sporting festival debut, he won three silvers in the 800m, 1,500m and 4x100m.
“The moment standing on the podium to receive the medal was special. I felt proud and could not hold back my tears. It was so emotional,” Mạnh said.
Having run for almost a decade, Mạnh has only run long distances for three years.
The pandemic kept Mạnh away from his normal practice. Staying at home was boring, so he decided to try something new: running longer than usual.
His distance increased over time and by last November, Mạnh decided to test his ability in a full marathon.
“In fact, when anyone else starts running, they want to conquer the full marathon distance. It is a dream of every runner,” Mạnh said.
“I felt good after 30km and thought it was just a fun run, the race was almost over. However, at 39km I was out of battery. My legs turned to lead. I had cramps, and a massive desire to stop running.
Luckily, he was pushed by his guide and many other runners. At least 10 slowed down to run with Mạnh.
“I was touched by their love. They did not mind their race but tried to help me reach my dream. I crossed the finish line with my mind, my spirit, and people’s encouragement,” he said.
Mạnh will next run a half-marathon at the National Marathon Championship at the end of this month in Phú Yên.
He will run his second full marathon in this year’s Hạ Long Heritage Marathon, eyeing new heights.
“I hope to set a new personal record, running in 3.30 hours. And for further plans, I will train and compete in an ironman triathlon event which gathers swimming, cycling, and running,” he said.
Running for all
Mạnh does not run alone. He founded the Blind Runner Club, which has become home to almost 40 members over nearly four years.
“They think they can’t run without their eyes but running is one of the most accessible sports for the blind,” said Mạnh, who designs exercises for his members.
In addition to the support of guides, vision-impaired runners must maximise the power of other senses during training and competing. Running in the dark means blind runners’ hearing must operate at 200 per cent.
“We will listen to the footsteps of other runners to adjust our pace. Besides this, our ears have to replace our eyes to capture other important information through the alarm of a running watch, or the guide’s direction,” he said.
After years of training, Mạnh and his club have taken part in many tournaments and all members have completed their distances.
“Running without seeing is not easy but under the strong support of the club managers and guides, I have reached my first turning points,” said club member Nguyễn Đức Nghị.
“I have run 1km and 5km. Mạnh always encourages us, every small progress is recognised and praised.”
Meanwhile another club member, Khương Thị Hằng, said: “At first I thought I couldn’t run. But then I realised that running helps reduce stress.”
Mạnh believes that him and his team can meet their challenges, no matter what.
“As people with disabilities, we meet with more challenges than ordinary runners. But if we have passion and confidence, we can run because running is for everyone,” he said. VNS