adminSave Turtles Run 2026 officially returns under the theme “Final Chapter – Beyond The Finish Line”, scheduled to take place on the morning of August 9, 2026, in Côn Đảo Special Zone, Ho Chi Minh City.
Organized by Akyn Hospitality Group together with its member hotel The Secret Côn Đảo, the event will continue to feature three race distances – 21km, 10km and 5km – connecting the running community with the message of sea turtle conservation and responsible tourism.
Guided by the spirit of “Every Step We Take, Miles of Green We Make”, this year’s season marks a meaningful milestone: the five-year journey of Save Turtles Run in Côn Đảo. Over the past four seasons, the run has grown beyond an annual sporting event to become an emotional gathering point – where every step carries a shared love for the islands, nature, and the values worth preserving.
This year’s theme, “Final Chapter – Beyond The Finish Line”, does not signify an ending. Rather, it marks a moment to look back on a journey shaped by dedication, companionship, and a lasting belief in the mission of sea turtle conservation. It is an opportunity for Save Turtles Run to honor its first chapter – a journey where every stride has helped raise community awareness while laying the foundation for more relevant and meaningful initiatives in the future.
A five-year journey beyond the race route
Born in Côn Đảo, Save Turtles Run was built on a simple belief: every step can become a meaningful action when placed within a greater purpose. For Côn Đảo, that purpose is the protection of sea turtles – one of the most distinctive ecological symbols of this island destination.
From its earliest seasons, the run has opened a different way to experience Côn Đảo: running along coastal routes, passing through the island’s peaceful rhythm of life, listening to stories of sea turtles, and joining hands to spread the spirit of green living. Participants do not come to Côn Đảo merely to complete a race distance; they become part of a shared journey to preserve the natural values of this special place.
Entering its fifth season, Save Turtles Run continues to affirm its role as a resilient community initiative – where sport, tourism and conservation meet through an experience that is approachable, positive and deeply emotional. The value of this journey lies not only in the number of runners who take part, but also in the community that has come together around one shared belief: tourism can leave something good behind in the places it touches.
Bringing conservation closer through experience
Through each season, Save Turtles Run has helped bring the image of Côn Đảo closer to the community in a warm and emotional way. Beyond being known for blue seas, golden sunshine and stories of history, Côn Đảo is also experienced as a place where every visitor can take part in small yet meaningful actions for nature.
The run has created a new way of experiencing the destination: coming to Côn Đảo to move, to connect with nature, to learn more about sea turtles, and to spread the spirit of green living. The participation of runners, families, travelers, partners and the local community has helped make the message of conservation more relatable, memorable and far-reaching.
Final chapter is not the end
After five years, what remains from Save Turtles Run is not only the seasons that have been organized, but the finish lines also that have been crossed, or the contributions made to conservation. What remains is something greater: a community that has come to believe that sport, tourism and conservation can meet in one meaningful experience.
For that reason, Final Chapter does not close the spirit of Save Turtles Run. On the contrary, the theme marks the moment for the journey to expand from a one-day run into a long-term story; from an annual event into a community platform; from a conservation message into a stronger and more enduring call to action for Côn Đảo.
A symbol of the fifth season
One of the key highlights of Save Turtles Run 2026 is the finisher medal, designed as a symbol of the fifth season. More than a keepsake of each runner’s achievement, the medal carries a deeper meaning of continuity, renewal and transformation.
The 2026 medal design also marks a special moment for Côn Đảo, as this destination – rich in natural and historical values – enters a new phase with its position as Côn Đảo Special Zone under Ho Chi Minh City. In that spirit, the medal becomes a dual symbol: honoring the journey of Save Turtles Run while marking a new milestone for the destination.
The image of a sea turtle in the blue ocean reflects the heart of the journey: sea turtle conservation and the marine-island ecosystem of Côn Đảo. The turtle life-cycle details symbolize resilience, hope and nature’s ability to return. The lanyards for the 5km, 10km and 21km distances, featuring mother and baby turtles swimming through the blue sea, express the spirit of continuity across generations – the very spirit Save Turtles Run hopes to carry forward beyond its fifth season.
More information, please visit:
Facebook: Save Turtles Run – Chạy Bộ Vì Rùa Biển
Website: thesecretcondao.com/save-turtles-run/
Text: VH Editor, Photo: The Secret Côn Đảo
